Who Owns Hi-C?

Hi-C's sustainability and ethics considerations are governed by The Coca-Cola Company's corporate sustainability framework. As a brand within Coca-Cola's juice drink portfolio, Hi-C-specific sustainability data is not separately reported.

Packaging and Plastic Use: Hi-C products are packaged in juice boxes, plastic bottles, and fountain drink cups. The Coca-Cola Company has set packaging sustainability goals, including making 100% of packaging recyclable by 2025 and using 50% recycled material in packaging by 2030. However, in 2024, Coca-Cola rolled back some of its voluntary sustainability goals, including targets for reusable packaging and virgin plastic reduction, which drew criticism from environmental organizations.

Sugar Content and Childhood Nutrition: Hi-C has faced sustained criticism regarding sugar content in its products. The original Hi-C Orange Lavaburst contains approximately 27 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving. Public health organizations including the American Heart Association have recommended limits on children's sugar consumption, and Hi-C's sugar content exceeds these recommendations for a single serving. The brand has introduced reduced-sugar formulations in response to these concerns.

Marketing to Children: Hi-C has been criticized for marketing sugary beverages to children through school cafeteria distribution, cartoon character partnerships, and child-oriented advertising. Advocacy groups including the Center for Science in the Public Interest have called for restrictions on marketing sugary drinks to children.

Water Stewardship: As part of Coca-Cola's corporate sustainability framework, Hi-C production benefits from the company's water stewardship programs, which aim to replenish water used in beverage production and improve water security in communities where Coca-Cola operates.

Hi-C has not received independent third-party sustainability certifications. Consumers seeking verified sustainability data should consult The Coca-Cola Company's annual ESG report, available on the company's investor relations website.

• 75+ Year Brand History: Hi-C has been in continuous production since 1946, making it one of the longest-running children's beverage brands in the United States.
• McDonald's Partnership: Hi-C Orange Lavaburst was served at McDonald's restaurants for decades, making it one of the most widely distributed fountain drinks in the quick-service restaurant industry. McDonald's discontinued Hi-C in 2017 but brought back a version in 2024 following consumer demand.
• School Cafeteria Staple: Hi-C has been a familiar brand in American school cafeterias for generations, though its presence has declined as schools implement stricter nutrition standards under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
• Cultural Nostalgia: Hi-C has been featured in numerous media retrospectives about American childhood and beverage culture, recognized as a nostalgic brand by adults who consumed it as children.

Sugar Content and Childhood Nutrition: Hi-C has faced sustained criticism from public health organizations regarding sugar content. The original Hi-C Orange Lavaburst contains approximately 27 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, which exceeds the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit for children (25 grams for children ages 2-18). The brand has been cited in studies and reports about childhood obesity and excessive sugar consumption.

Low Juice Content: Hi-C has been criticized for its low actual fruit juice content. The original formula contains approximately 10% fruit juice, with the remainder consisting of water, sugar, and flavorings. Consumer advocates and nutrition experts have argued that Hi-C and similar products should not be marketed as juice drinks given their minimal juice content.

Marketing to Children: Hi-C has faced criticism for marketing practices targeting children, including distribution in school cafeterias, cartoon character branding, and child-oriented advertising. The Center for Science in the Public Interest and other advocacy groups have called for restrictions on marketing sugary beverages to children.

McDonald's Discontinuation (2017): In 2017, McDonald's announced it would discontinue Hi-C Orange Lavaburst at its U.S. restaurants, replacing it with Sprite TropicBerry. The decision generated significant consumer backlash on social media, with customers expressing nostalgia and disappointment. McDonald's brought back a version of Hi-C in 2024 in response to continued consumer demand.

Artificial Ingredients: Hi-C has faced questions about artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives in its products. As consumer demand for "clean label" products has increased, the brand has faced pressure to reformulate with natural ingredients while maintaining taste and shelf stability.

School Nutrition Standards: The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 imposed stricter nutrition standards on foods and beverages sold in schools, which affected Hi-C's presence in school cafeterias. The brand has had to reformulate products and adjust portion sizes to meet school nutrition guidelines.

Coca-Cola Sustainability Rollback (2024): In 2024, The Coca-Cola Company rolled back some of its voluntary sustainability goals, including targets for reusable packaging and virgin plastic reduction. This decision drew criticism from environmental organizations and affected consumer perception of all Coca-Cola brands, including Hi-C.