Hand-luggage-only travellers
If you want to pack a drink before leaving, check its container size against the rules at your departure airport and any transfer airport. GOV.UK says containers over 100ml cannot pass security at most UK airports.
Who is choosing?
Shoppers comparing sugar figures
If the sugars line matters to you, compare the same quantity on each nutrition panel and read the ingredients too. A no-added-sugar apple juice drink can contain sweeteners.
Shoppers avoiding sweeteners
If you prefer a drink without listed sweeteners, check the ingredient list rather than relying on the no-added-sugar wording. For 100% apple juice, also check the naturally occurring sugars per serving.
What matters when choosing?
Start with where you will get the drink, then compare product type, ingredients and the amount you intend to drink.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Security and pack size | Check the container volume, not how much liquid remains. GOV.UK says containers over 100ml cannot pass security at most UK airports; confirm the rules at departure and transfer airports. | I need to know whether I can pack the drink before security or should look for one afterwards. |
| Ingredients and sugars | Read both the ingredient list and sugars per 100ml or per serving. Tesco's no-added-sugar apple drink lists sucralose; Sainsbury's apple-and-pear drink lists acesulfame K and sucralose. | I want to compare the labelled sugar figures without assuming that no added sugar means no sugar or no sweetener. |
| Apple juice or juice drink | Check whether the drink is 100% apple juice, a juice-and-water drink or a cordial requiring dilution. Tesco lists 20% apple juice from concentrate in its no-added-sugar apple juice drink; Tesco describes Tropicana Pressed Apple as 100% pressed juice. | Is a drink made entirely from apple juice important to me, or would a juice drink suit what I want? |
| Serving and preparation | Compare the serving size with the pack. The NHS says unsweetened 100% fruit juice counts towards 5 A Day as a maximum 150ml portion once a day. Ocado's directions for M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice call for one part cordial to four parts water. | For an airport snack, I would rather choose an amount I can use and avoid a drink that needs diluting unless water is available. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Packing a carton over 100ml for security
GOV.UK says containers larger than 100ml cannot pass security at most UK airports, even if they are partly full.
Check your departure and transfer airports before packing a drink; if their rules prevent you taking it through, plan to buy one after security instead.
A drink that does not meet the applicable security rules may have to be surrendered.
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Reading “no added sugar” as “no sugar or sweetener”
The Tesco and Sainsbury's no-added-sugar juice drinks list sweeteners, while 100% apple juice can contain naturally occurring sugars.
Check the ingredients and sugars line separately, then choose according to whether you want to avoid sweeteners or compare sugar figures.
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Counting a large juice bottle as several 5 A Day portions
The NHS says unsweetened 100% fruit juice counts towards 5 A Day as a maximum 150ml portion once a day, regardless of how much you drink.
Use the serving information on the bottle when choosing an amount for a meal or snack.
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Choosing cordial for an immediate drink
M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice needs diluting, so it is not ready to drink straight from the bottle.
For immediate use, choose a ready-to-drink product. If choosing the cordial, follow its dilution directions and check its ingredients, including the listed sulphites.
Dilution requires drinking water and a suitable cup or container.
Relevant brand references
These product lines illustrate different types of apple drink; a brand reference does not establish what an airport shop stocks.
Tropicana
A comparison between pressed apple juice and a juice drink without added sugar or sweetener.
- Tesco describes Tropicana Pressed Apple as 100% pressed juice, not from concentrate.
- Tesco lists Tropicana Fresh & Light Crisp Apple as an 850ml juice drink, so it is a different product type and its container exceeds the usual pre-security limit at most UK airports.
Copella
Copella Cloudy Apple is a pressed apple juice option for comparing ingredients and serving figures.
- Copella lists pressed apple juice and 15g sugars per 150ml for Cloudy Apple.
- Check the bottle size against the rules at each airport if you intend to carry it through security.
Tesco
Tesco No Added Sugar Apple Juice Drink is a juice drink rather than 100% apple juice.
- Tesco lists 20% apple juice from concentrate in the drink.
- Its ingredients include sucralose, and its 1L container exceeds the usual pre-security limit at most UK airports.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's No Added Sugar Apple & Pear Juice Drink combines apple and pear juices from concentrate.
- Sainsbury's lists 20% apple juice and 5% pear juice from concentrate.
- It also lists acesulfame K and sucralose; its 1L container exceeds the usual pre-security limit at most UK airports.
ASDA
ASDA Apple & Pear Juice Drink comes in a 150ml carton.
- ASDA lists 1.8g sugars per carton.
- A 150ml container still exceeds the 100ml pre-security limit at most UK airports.
M&S
M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice is a cordial, not a ready-to-drink apple juice.
- Ocado's product directions specify dilution with four parts water to one part cordial.
- You need water to prepare it; check its listed sulphites if that ingredient matters to you.
Apple drink options on Joybuy
These are ready-to-drink apple and apple-and-pear options to consider for a drink after security. Their 200ml cartons and 250ml cans exceed the usual pre-security container limit at most UK airports; check what your airport shop stocks before relying on a particular product.
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Cawston Press Apple & Pear Fruit Water, 3 × 200ml
For a ready-to-drink apple-and-pear option after security, the pack contains three 200ml cartons. This fruit water is not 100% apple juice; each carton exceeds the usual pre-security container limit at most UK airports.
No image available
Appletiser 100% Apple Juice Lightly Sparkling, 6 × 250ml
For a sparkling apple juice after security, this pack contains six 250ml cans. Check the sugars panel if comparing it with juice drinks; a 250ml can exceeds the usual pre-security container limit at most UK airports.
Common questions
Can I take a 150ml apple drink through UK airport security?
At most UK airports, no: GOV.UK says liquids in containers over 100ml cannot pass security, even when partly full. Check the rules at your departure airport and any transfer airport before you travel.
Does “no added sugar” mean an apple drink is sugar-free?
No. Apple drinks can contain naturally occurring sugars, and some no-added-sugar juice drinks list sweeteners. Read the sugars line and ingredient list to see what is in the particular drink.
Does every no-added-sugar apple drink count towards 5 A Day?
Do not assume so. The NHS specifically says unsweetened 100% fruit juice counts as a maximum 150ml portion once a day; check the product type before applying that guidance to a juice drink or cordial.
Is M&S Apple & Elderflower High Juice ready to drink?
No. Ocado's directions say to dilute one part cordial with four parts water. If you need a drink immediately, choose a ready-to-drink option instead; the cordial's ingredient list also includes sulphites.