Who is choosing?

Shoppers comparing sugar content

If you want a fizzy drink but are comparing regular and zero-sugar versions, read the sugars figure per 100ml for the exact variant. Manufacturer figures differ even among drinks with similar flavours: Pepsi UK lists 4.5g per 100ml for regular Pepsi and 0g for Pepsi MAX.

Cola drinkers avoiding caffeine

A zero-sugar name does not settle the caffeine question. Coca-Cola GB lists caffeine flavouring for standard Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Pepsi UK lists caffeine for Pepsi MAX; both brands also identify separately named caffeine-free variants.

Households ordering an exact variant

If regular instead of zero sugar, or caffeinated instead of caffeine-free, would be an unsuitable swap, set a substitution preference when ordering. Tesco says personal shoppers will try to follow notes, although the requested substitute may not be possible.

What should you check?

Start with the attributes you would not want a substitute to change, then choose a flavour and pack format that fit the order.

PriorityWhat to checkYour needs
Sugar Compare sugars per 100ml on the exact variant, not the total sugar in differently sized packs. Pepsi UK lists 0g per 100ml for Pepsi MAX and 4.5g for regular Pepsi. I want to distinguish a zero-sugar drink from its regular counterpart without relying on the flavour or brand name alone.
Caffeine Read the variant name and ingredients. Coca-Cola GB and Pepsi UK list caffeine in their standard zero-sugar colas but identify separate caffeine-free versions. If caffeine is a deciding factor for my household, I need the specifically caffeine-free variant, not just one labelled zero sugar.
Flavour Check whether the drink is cola, lemon-and-lime or a named fruit flavour, then compare that variant’s nutrition. Coca-Cola GB lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Sprite Zero and 0.4g for Fanta Fruit Twist Zero. Perhaps I want citrus or fruit flavour rather than cola, while still checking the sugar figure for the drink I choose.
Substitutions Set a preference for the attributes that matter, including sugar, caffeine, flavour and pack size. Tesco says order notes may not always be fulfilled. I would rather specify an acceptable alternative than receive a different variant that does not meet my requirements.
Delivery fit Check the available service and slot for your address, and whether the can count suits your wider grocery order. Tesco describes Whoosh as available only in selected areas. For a household multipack, I need a delivery option that works for my address and a quantity I can use.

Substitution mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming zero sugar also means caffeine-free

    Standard Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Pepsi MAX list caffeine, according to their UK product information. A zero-sugar substitution could therefore miss a caffeine-free requirement.

    Specify a caffeine-free variant in the order note when that distinction matters, and check the label on any substituted drink.

  • Treating regular and zero-sugar versions as interchangeable

    Regular and zero-sugar versions can have different sugars figures even when their names and flavours are similar. Pepsi UK, for example, lists 4.5g sugars per 100ml for regular Pepsi and 0g for Pepsi MAX.

    Make the required sugar status clear in your substitution preference, alongside any flavour or pack-size requirement.

Brand and retailer references

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola GB identifies original-taste, Zero Sugar and separately named Zero Sugar Caffeine Free cola variants.

  • Coca-Cola GB lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and its caffeine-free variant.
  • Standard Coca-Cola Zero Sugar lists caffeine flavouring. Check the exact label if caffeine, sweeteners or the phenylalanine statement matters to you.

Pepsi

Pepsi UK distinguishes regular Pepsi, Pepsi MAX and Pepsi MAX No Caffeine.

  • Pepsi UK lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Pepsi MAX and Pepsi MAX No Caffeine, compared with 4.5g for regular Pepsi.
  • Standard Pepsi MAX lists caffeine; choose the separately named No Caffeine variant when that attribute is required.

Sprite

Sprite is a lemon-and-lime option with regular and Zero variants.

  • Coca-Cola GB lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Sprite Zero and 4.4g for regular Sprite.
  • Sprite Zero contains sweeteners and carries a phenylalanine statement; check the exact variant’s label.

Fanta

Fanta includes named fruit-flavoured regular and Zero variants.

  • Coca-Cola GB lists 0.4g sugars per 100ml for Fanta Fruit Twist Zero and 4.4g for Fanta Fruit Twist.
  • Coca-Cola GB describes Fanta Orange as caffeine-free; check another Fanta variant’s own label rather than extending that statement to the range.

Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper offers regular and Zero versions of its named flavour.

  • Coca-Cola GB lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Dr Pepper Zero and 4.3g for regular Dr Pepper.
  • The product information lists caffeine for both versions; Dr Pepper Zero also lists sweeteners and carries a phenylalanine statement.

Tesco

Tesco is an online grocery delivery service relevant to how a fizzy-drink order is fulfilled.

  • Tesco lets online grocery shoppers leave substitution preferences for a personal shopper.
  • Tesco says the requested substitute may not be possible; check any replacement against the variant you intended to order.

Fizzy-drink multipacks on Joybuy

These can multipacks cover cola, cherry-cola and apple-flavoured choices for a grocery order. Check the exact label when sugar, caffeine or sweeteners are deciding factors.

Diet Coke No Caffeine, 24 × 330ml cans

Diet Coke No Caffeine, 24 × 330ml

A cola multipack to consider when the no-caffeine variant is required. Check the label for sweeteners and the phenylalanine statement if these matter to you.

View on Joybuy
Pepsi MAX Caffeine Free, 24 × 330ml cans

Pepsi MAX Caffeine Free, 24 × 330ml

This is the separately named caffeine-free Pepsi MAX variant in a 24-can pack. Check the label for sweeteners and the phenylalanine statement if relevant.

View on Joybuy
7UP Zero, 24 × 330ml cans

7UP Zero, 24 × 330ml

A 24-can alternative to the cola multipacks. If caffeine status or particular ingredients matter, confirm them on the exact pack label before accepting a substitution.

View on Joybuy
Pepsi MAX Cherry, 18 × 330ml cans

Pepsi MAX Cherry, 18 × 330ml

Choose this 18-can pack when the Cherry variant, rather than plain cola, is what you want. It is not a caffeine-free choice; check the ingredients if caffeine or sweeteners matter.

View on Joybuy
Tango Apple Sugar-Free, 24 × 330ml cans

Tango Apple Sugar-Free, 24 × 330ml

An apple-flavoured, sugar-free option in a 24-can pack. If avoiding caffeine matters, check the exact product label before ordering or accepting a substitute; check its sweeteners too.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does zero sugar mean a fizzy drink is caffeine-free?

No. Coca-Cola GB lists caffeine flavouring in standard Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Pepsi UK lists caffeine in Pepsi MAX. Both identify separately named caffeine-free variants, so check the exact name and ingredients when ordering.

How can I avoid an unsuitable grocery substitution?

Set a substitution preference and name the attribute that must stay the same, such as zero sugar, no caffeine or a particular pack size. Tesco says its personal shoppers try to follow notes but cannot guarantee the requested alternative; check a substitute before accepting it.

What should I compare between fizzy-drink multipacks?

Compare the exact variants’ sugars figures per 100ml, ingredient lists, caffeine status, flavour, can size and can count. The per-100ml figure lets you compare drinks without confusing a larger serving or multipack with a different sugar content.