This begs the question - did the older formulas of 7 Up (either the last one or the one used prior to 1997) have artificial flavors?

That's just the question that I have been
trying to figure out. LOL

The Sprite marketing is "100% NATURAL FLAVORS" and 7-up said "NOW 100% NATURAL FLAVORS" so that makes me think that they changed it.

From the FDA's website.

The term. "natural" applies broadly to foods that are minimally processed and free of synthetic preservatives; artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and other artificial additives ; growth hormones; antibiotics; -hydrogenated oils; stabilizers; and emulsifiers. Most foods labeled natural are not subject to government controls beyond the regulations and heath codes that apply to all foods. Exceptions include meat and poultry.

www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/06p0094/06p-0094-cp00001-05-Tab-04-Food-Marketing-Institute-vol1.pdf

Sprite already sucks, I doubt going 100% natural makes it better. I actually used to like 7Up and when they went 100% natural, it tastes like crap. I prefer Sierra Mist over them anyway.

Originally Posted by Troy The Vault Drinker

Sprite already sucks, I doubt going 100% natural makes it better. I actually used to like 7Up and when they went 100% natural, it tastes like crap. I prefer Sierra Mist over them anyway.

They didn't change anything, its ALWAYS been 100% natural.

Originally Posted by amyers

They didn't change anything, its ALWAYS been 100% natural.

Depends on what you mean by "100% Natural". When the beverage was relaunched back in early 2006, they did change the formula as well. The press release at the time stated "and all artificial ingredients, such as the artificial flavor preservative, calcium disodium EDTA, have been removed." You may recall the tagline on the bottle at the time: "Now 100% Natural":

Then the Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Cadbury Schweppes over that claim, citing the use of high fructose corn syrup. The tagline on the bottle was later changed to "100% Natural Flavors":

I was a fan of the previous formulation as well. It tasted better to me, at least.

At least Sprite learned from 7Up's mistakes by claiming "100% natural flavors" from the get-go.

I was refering to 100% ALL NATURAL FLAVORS in Sprite

Originally Posted by amyers

I was refering to 100% ALL NATURAL FLAVORS in Sprite

Ah... well, that makes more sense