Scan to Know: The Beverage Industry’s Bet on Voluntary Transparency
Three soda giants agreed on one standard: a QR code that explains what’s in the can.
TL;DR — Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper rolled out a shared QR-code "Good to Know" system giving factual information on 140-plus beverage ingredients, pledging near-full portfolio coverage by the end of 2027 — voluntary transparency amid pressure for tougher labeling.
On June 22, 2026, America’s beverage giants answered the transparency debate with a single scannable standard.
The rollout
The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper — coordinated through trade group American Beverage — launched a shared "Good to Know" database providing factual, non-industry information on more than 140 beverage ingredients, accessible via product QR codes. Companies began integrating it in Q1 2026 and committed to full or near-full coverage across their portfolios by the end of 2027. The push was accelerated by federal pressure for greater ingredient transparency.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients covered | 140+ |
| Participants | Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper (+ members) |
| Access | Product QR codes → shared database |
| Full-coverage target | End of 2027 |
What they said
"Consumers want greater transparency and deserve to have confidence in the safety of their foods and beverages." — Kevin Keane, President & CEO, American Beverage
Why it matters
- Self-regulation vs. mandates. A voluntary QR standard is the industry’s answer to calls for front-of-pack warning labels.
- Rare cooperation. Fierce rivals adopting one shared system is notable.
- A template for food. Scan-to-learn transparency could spread across packaged goods.
FAQ
What is the beverage industry’s "Good to Know" system?
A shared QR-code database, launched June 22, 2026 by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Keurig Dr Pepper and other American Beverage members, that provides factual information on more than 140 beverage ingredients. Companies pledged near-full portfolio coverage by the end of 2027.
Why did beverage companies launch it now?
Amid growing pressure for tougher ingredient labeling, the industry opted for a voluntary, shared transparency standard — letting shoppers scan a QR code to learn what ingredients do — rather than wait for mandated front-of-pack warnings.
Sources
- American Beverage — shared ingredient-transparency rollout
- BeverageDaily — US beverage giants roll out QR codes
Image: Coca-Cola can by ZooFari — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
← Back to all posts