View source for Diet Coke Plus

{{Short description|Variant of Diet Coke}}
{{Infobox Beverage
|name= Diet Coke Plus
|logo = Logo Cola-Light-plus.svg
|logo_size = 150
|image = Coca-Cola Light Plus.jpg 
|image_size = 90
|caption= Brazilian Coca-Cola Light Plus 
|type=[[Diet soda|Diet]] [[Cola]]
|manufacturer=[[The Coca-Cola Company]]
|origin=[[United States]]
|introduced= 2007
|discontinued= {{end date and age|2011}} (USA)
|related= [[Coca-Cola]]<br>[[Diet Coke]]}}

'''Diet Coke Plus''' (also known as '''Coca-Cola Light Plus''') was a formulation of [[Diet Coke]] fortified with vitamins and minerals. It is sweetened with a blend of [[aspartame]] and [[acesulfame potassium]].

The drink was released in the [[United Kingdom]] in October 2007, available in two variants, one with vitamins B<sub>3</sub>, B<sub>12</sub>, and vitamin C, and the other containing [[antioxidant]]s with added green tea and vitamin C. Although Diet Coke Plus Antioxidants is labeled as sugar free, it actually contains 0.1&nbsp;grams of sugar in the green tea powder per 100ml.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.snackspot.org.uk/thread.php?story=0710122207daa |title=Snackspot.org.uk: Coca-Cola Diet Coke Plus (UK vs USA)<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2008-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225100559/http://snackspot.org.uk/thread.php?story=0710122207daa |archive-date=2008-02-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/BrandRepublicNews/News/674348/Diet-Coke-Plus-target-health-conscious-consumers/ |title=Diet Coke Plus to target health-conscious consumers - Brand Republic News - Brand Republic<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011225913/http://www.brandrepublic.com/BrandRepublicNews/News/674348/Diet-Coke-Plus-target-health-conscious-consumers/ |archive-date=2007-10-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Warning letter== 
On December 10, 2008, the United States [[Food and Drug Administration]] wrote a [[FDA Warning Letter|Warning Letter]] to [[The Coca-Cola Company]] that Diet Coke Plus violates the [[Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]].<ref name=FDA>{{cite web |first=Roberta F. |last=Wagner |title=Warning letter |work=Center for Food Safety And Applied Nutrition |publisher=[[Food and Drug Administration]]. [[Department of Health & Human Services]] |date=December 10, 2008 |format=PDF |url=https://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2008/ucm1048050.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710042429/http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2008/ucm1048050.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2009 }}</ref> The term "plus" is a regulated term on food and beverages.<ref name=FDA/> A food may be labeled "plus" to describe its nutrients only if it contains at least 10% more of the [[Reference Daily Intake]] or Daily Reference Value compared to the usual amount.<ref name=FDA/> Because Diet Coke Plus labeling does not indicate the increased amount of nutrients, it cannot use the word "plus" on its label.<ref name=FDA/> Regardless, snack foods, such as carbonated soda, may never use the word "plus" because the FDA does not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods.<ref name=FDA/> The FDA required The Coca-Cola Company to detail corrective action within 15 days.<ref name=FDA/>

The Coca-Cola Company issued a statement saying, "This does not involve any health or safety issues, and we believe the label on Diet Coke Plus complies with FDA's policies and regulations."<ref name=AP>{{cite news |title=FDA warns Coca-Cola over nutritional claims |first=Matthew |last=Perrone |agency=Associated Press |date=December 23, 2008 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g9CMMgjWqV6_Mg3zLlVnsxv3eC8QD958HVAG0 }}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

When a food manufacturer or marketer violates federal regulations, the FDA generally will send a letter to the company.<ref name=AP/> While the letters themselves are not legally binding, the FDA may take the company to court if it does not take corrective action.<ref name=AP/> The drink was discontinued in November 2011.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commonscat}}
* {{Wikinews-inline|FDA says Coca-Cola's Diet Coke Plus is misbranded}}

{{Varieties of Coca-Cola}}
{{Coca-Cola brands}}

[[Category:Coca-Cola cola brands]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 2007]]
[[Category:Food and drink introduced in 2007]]
[[Category:Discontinued soft drinks]]
[[Category:Diet drinks]]
[[Category:Caffeinated soft drinks]]