Quick facts
| Founded | 1940 (Germany); modern orange version 1955 (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Country | American imports: USA. Brand origin: Germany |
| Made by | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Dietary status | Vegan-suitable (most variants); American imports contain HFCS and synthetic colours |
About Fanta
Fanta is The Coca-Cola Company's second-oldest brand globally, created in Germany in 1940 by Coca-Cola Deutschland under Max Keith when wartime ingredient restrictions cut off Coca-Cola syrup imports. The original 1940 version was discontinued in 1949. The modern orange-flavoured Fanta launched in Naples, Italy, in 1955 and became the brand we know today. There are now over 200 Fanta flavours worldwide, with regional formulations varying significantly: American Fanta uses HFCS, Yellow 6 and Red 40, while UK Fanta uses orange juice from concentrate and vegetable extracts after the 2017 sugar tax reformulation.
The Fanta range we stock
Six imported Fanta variants covering American flavours and select international imports.
| Flavour | Profile |
|---|---|
| Fanta Grape 355ml (USA) | America's second-bestselling Fanta after Orange. Sweet purple grape profile |
| Fanta Strawberry 355ml (USA) | Sweet-tart pink berry profile, popular with younger drinkers |
| Fanta Pineapple 355ml (USA) | Tropical pineapple flavour, lighter and less sweet than Grape |
| Fanta Berry 355ml (USA) | Blue mixed-berry variant, distinctive blue colour |
| Fanta Peach 355ml (USA) | Sweet juicy peach flavour, a more recent American addition |
| Fanta Orange 355ml (USA) | The American orange recipe with HFCS and synthetic colour. Sweeter than UK Fanta |
Ingredients and allergens
Standard American Fanta Orange contains carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), modified food starch, natural flavours, sodium polyphosphates, glycerol ester of rosin, Yellow 6 and Red 40 colourings. Caffeine-free across the range. Most variants are vegan-suitable (no animal-derived ingredients). The synthetic colours Yellow 6 (E110) and Red 40 (E129) require the UK hyperactivity warning label, since the colourings have been linked in studies to behavioural effects in some children. The drinks are legal to sell in the UK as long as the warning is displayed. Not formally halal certified but contain no obviously haram ingredients. Always check the back of each individual can for the most accurate allergen and dietary information.
Who Fanta imports are for
American Fanta flavour seekers: the Grape, Pineapple, Berry and Peach flavours simply aren't sold in UK supermarkets. UK retail Fanta covers Orange, Lemon and (the rebranded) Pineapple and Grapefruit only. If you want the American flavour range, imports are the only route.
Sweeter-taste fans: American Fanta contains around 12g sugar per 100ml versus 4.6g in UK Fanta after the 2017 sugar tax reformulation. The American version tastes meaningfully sweeter, more old-school, and closer to how Fanta tasted before UK reformulation.
Pick-and-mix soda buyers: the 355ml can format works well for variety packs and American hamper builds. Pair with our Dr Pepper imports and Arizona iced teas for full American drinks selections.
Nostalgia and travel buyers: shoppers who travelled in the US and miss specific flavours (Grape Fanta is a particular cultural marker) come specifically for these imports rather than UK retail Fanta.
Buy Fanta imports online in the UK
Build your basket from across the Fanta range and our wider imported drinks selection to qualify for free UK delivery over £20. Fanta pairs especially well with our Dr Pepper and Arizona imports for full American soda variety. Order before our daily cut-off for same-day dispatch.
Fanta imported: frequently asked questions
Why is American Fanta different from UK Fanta?
American Fanta uses high fructose corn syrup (rather than sugar), Yellow 6 and Red 40 synthetic colours, and natural flavours rather than orange juice. UK Fanta reformulated in 2017 to drop below the 5g/100ml sugar tax threshold, switching to 4.6g/100ml of sugar plus sweeteners (cyclamates, acesulfame-K, sucralose, stevia), orange juice from concentrate, and vegetable extracts (carrot, pumpkin) for colour. The American version contains around 12g sugar per 100ml, has a brighter orange colour, and tastes meaningfully sweeter.
Are American Fanta flavours sold in UK supermarkets?
No. UK supermarkets only carry the European Coca-Cola-bottler Fanta variants: Orange (standard and Zero), Lemon, and the rebranded Pineapple & Grapefruit (formerly Lilt). American Fanta Grape, Pineapple, Berry, Strawberry and Peach are not part of the European Coca-Cola distribution. The only way to get them in the UK is through specialist American import retailers.
When was Fanta invented?
Fanta was invented in Germany in 1940 by Coca-Cola Deutschland under Max Keith, originally as a wartime alternative when Coca-Cola syrup imports were cut off. That first version was discontinued in 1949. The modern orange-flavoured Fanta most shoppers recognise today launched in Naples, Italy, in 1955 and is The Coca-Cola Company's second-oldest brand globally after Coca-Cola itself.
Is American Fanta vegan?
Most American Fanta variants are vegan-suitable (no animal-derived ingredients in the recipe). The synthetic colours Yellow 6 and Red 40 are petroleum-derived rather than insect-derived, unlike carmine (cochineal) which appears in some red drinks elsewhere. Always check the back of each individual can since recipes can vary by region and over time. Not formally halal certified but contains no obviously haram ingredients.