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Story: Food and beverage manufacturing

Testing for vitamin C content

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Testing for vitamin C content

In 2007 two Auckland school students, Anna Devathasan (left) and Jenny Suo, tested a range of drinks for their science fair project. They found that Ribena had one of the lowest levels of vitamin C – lower than that advertised. The makers were subsequently fined $227,500. The manufacturers blamed faulty testing methods and incorrect labelling for the mismatch.

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New Zealand Herald

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by Martin Sykes

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How to cite this page

Sarah Wilcox, Food and beverage manufacturing – Cold drinks, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/23005/testing-for-vitamin-c-content (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Sarah Wilcox, published 3 March 2010.