Current TaB Energy Availability…
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We often receive emails from folks looking for TaB Energy. Though this site is really focused on the original TaB cola, we want to be able to answer all TaB related questions!
I did a little research… Though TaB Energy only lasted about a year in the United States, The Coca-Cola Company website states that it is available in Canada, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico.
For more information, contact The Coca-Cola Company directly by clicking here
LADIES NIGHT – TaB Energy Cocktails
I’m a part time bartender at Bridge Street Cafe , Old Forge Pa. One night we experimented with Tab Energy and we have come up with the following fantastic drinks:
TABU
1/2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Coconut Rum
Splash of Cranberry
Fill with Tab Energy
TABLOID
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
Cherry to Garnish
Fill with Tab Energy
Mad TaBber
1 oz. Citrus Vodka
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
Splash of Sprite
Fill with Tab Energy
TaBtini
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Chambord
Fill with Tab Energy
ENJOY!
TaB Energy’s Arrival in Canada is Celebrated with “Fuel To Be Fabulous” Party
(“TaB Energy’s Arrival in Canada is Celebrated with “Fuel To Be Fabulous” Party,” Newswire.ca, June 15, 2006)
This Ain’t Your Mother’s TaB(TM)
TORONTO, June 15 /CNW/ – Young, chic women from across Toronto will
gather Saturday night at the StyleXchange to help celebrate the arrival of TaB
energy(TM) to Canada.
While TaB energy(TM) shares the old TaB(TM) brand name, that is where the
similarities end — it is not a cola — it is a new, deliciously pink, sugar-
free energy drink with only five calories per 269mL can. Available in an eye-
catching, fashionably pink can, TaB energy(TM) was created specifically for
women with a sense of style and purpose.
Click here to read more…
Go Girl Energy Drink vs TaB Energy
VS
Lately I have seen Go Girl, another energy drink in a pink can. I gave it a try, and in my opinion, it is much better tasting that TaB Energy. There is virtually none of that medicinal/energy drink after taste — it tastes like a less sweet Strawberry Crush.
Has anyone else tried it? If so, leave a comment!
Coke addresses the issue of TaB vs TaB Energy…
I found the following Q&A on the official TaB Energy website. Personally, I think there is a lot of confusion about the two brands but maybe that’s just me….
–
Q: What is Tab Energy?
A: While Tab Energy shares the Tab brand name, it is not a cola. It is a completely new energy drink created especially for women. The deliciously crisp and lightly carbonated pink beverage is sugar-free, with only five calories per 10.5 ounce can.
Q: Will it replace regular Tab?
A: No, the launch of Tab Energy, a completely new energy drink, will have no impact on the availability of Tab the diet cola.
Click here to read more…
“Tab Energy Kills You Dead/The famously toxic retro cola nails women with a new, pink energy drink.” – by Mark Morford
(“Tab Energy Kills You Dead/The famously toxic retro cola nails women with a new, pink energy drink. Because you love it,” San Francisco Chronicle, March 8, 2006 — by Mark Morford)
You know what’s brilliant, in a skin-peeling, brain-grinding, I-can’t-feel-my-soul sort of way? Target marketing.
Target marketing, like when they take some toxic product you don’t really need and which you already know rots the lining of your skull and which could probably power a nuclear reactor, and then they put it into a special new package and pump it full with $100 million in marketing money and aim it straight at some exclusive demographic that’s not actually exclusive but which they want you to think is exclusive so if you belong to it you can say, Oh my goodness, I’m part of a sly, hip subculture and they’re speaking directly to me. I am so cool.
Click here to read more…
TaB Energy Commercial
Click here to view…
“Pink Power: TaB is back, sort of” – by Jason Vaughn
(“Pink Power: TaB is back, sort of,” FoxNews.com, March 1, 2006 — by Jason M. Vaughn)
TaB Energy … is it fuel to be fabulous?
Some people remember TaB Cola for its distinctive pink can, while others recall its “unique” taste. Still others associate the soft drink with a 1970s cancer scare.
Click here to read more…
Some more TaB Energy sightings (does Lindsey Lohan drink it?)…
In the February 20th, 2006 issue of OK! magazine (please do not ask me why I read this), there is a blurb about TaB Energy and the launch party…
“Keeping TaBs….On the energy-soda explosion…
TaB, the old-school soft drink, got a new-century makeover. No longer just a sweet soda, this drink is now a pink energy elixir — yes pink, even served in little pink cans. To celebrate the launch of TaB’s new aimed-at-women, “we-only-kept-the-name-the-same” drink, celebs such as Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Lindsey Lohan, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Kimberly Stewart came out and sipped the beverage at Drive In Studios in NYC. …”
Click here to read more…
Reviews of TaB Energy…
Post your reviews here…
“TaB Energy: Fashionably Marketed”
(“TaB Energy: Fashionably Marketed,” BrandNoise.com, January 26, 2006)
Tab Energy is an energy drink based on The Coca-Cola Company’s diet soda, Tab. It shares the Tab name but does not taste like the original Tab. The drink will be marketed to women. It is scheduled to hit shelves in early 2006. Tab Energy will not use Saccharin like original Tab instead it will contain Sucralose. Comparable to Red Bull, Tab Energy will be available in 10.5 ounce slim cans patterned in fuchsia gingham. Tab was Coca-Cola Company’s first sugar-free drink, introduced in 1963, and is still available in limited quantities.
Click here to read more…
“The peculiar appeal of Tab cola” — by Tim Nudd, Catherine Taylor
(“The peculiar appeal of Tab cola,” AdFreak.com, February 1, 2006)
Lots of Tab news lately. Brand Noise has a post about Tab Energy, a new energy drink that’ll be sold in slim, Red Bullish cans. Among the early reviewers, Starving Actor’s Loft in Harlem seems to like it, but he did get it for free. And in The New Yorker, Ben McGrath uses the Tab Energy launch to talk about the cult of Tab freaks, which apparently include Steve Brill. The piece suggests that Tab’s “peculiar flavor (‘It tastes like metal’) and reputation for unhealthiness� are actually its strengths. We don’t have much to add here except, OK, here’s a vintage Tab ad. Enjoy.
—Posted by Tim Nudd
Click here to read more…
“Tab spinoff digs up memories of nasty original” – by Sherry Slater
(“Tab spinoff digs up memories of nasty original,” The Journal Gazette, February 11, 2006 – by Sherry Slater)
When I read recently that the Coca-Cola Co. is launching an updated version of Tab, memories started fizzing and bubbling in my brain.
My mom bought that disgusting diet cola for about five years when I was a kid. We gulped it down because, even though we hated the taste of it, it was still pop. And it was supposed to be helping us lose weight.
Click here to read more…
“The plight of the TaB Addict [in Canada]” – by Jennifer Wells
(“The plight of the TaB addict. VICES | The lengths to which some Canadians will go …,” TheStar.com, February 12, 2006 — by Jennifer Wells)
When it comes to vices, ya do what ya gotta do. Even if the vice in question isn’t anything near as illicit as say, crystal meth, but instead is sold over the counter in a pink pop can that recalls the era of Mary Quant, paisley shirts and winkle pickers.
Except it isn’t sold over the counter. Not in Toronto. Not in Ontario. Not in Canada, writ large.
Click here to read more…
Launch of TaBEnergy.com
The Coca-Cola Company has launched the official website for TaB Energy.
TaBEnergy.com
Coke says “Tab Energy will hit store shelves in February 2006.”
“Coca-Cola welcomes consumers to the ‘Coke side of life’ for global campaign” – by Julia Pearlman
(“Coca-Cola welcomes consumers to the ‘Coke side of life’ for global campaign,” BrandRepublic.com, December 9, 2005, — by Julia Pearlman)
Excerpt relating to TaB Energy:
“In the last year alone, Coke launched more than a thousand products. But it is not stopping there. Several new products launching next year include: a coffee-flavoured soda called Coca-Cola Blak; a Tab energy drink for women; a bottled coffee called Far Coast; and black and green tea drinks called Gold Peak. ”
Click here to read more…
Coke Revamps Ad, Sets New Product
(“Coke Revamps Ad, Sets New Product,”) KGET.com, Week of December 9, 2005)
Excerpt relating to TaB Energy:
“Also during the presentation, Coke marketing chief Mary Minnick said Coke was introducing higher-margin extensions in the fast-growing water category and that it plans to launch ‘Tab’ energy drink targeting women. Minnick also announced the company’s new advertising slogan: “Welcome to the Coke Side of Life.”
Coca-Cola has introduced several diet and reduced-calorie drinks in recent months to meet changing consumer tastes.
It is also now packaging Coca-Cola in an 8.4-ounce can and touting the serving has just 100 calories, Minnick said.”
Click here to read more…
Why Coke Has Real Problems
(“Why Coke Has Real Problems,” BusinessWeek.com, December 12, 2005, — by Dean Foust )
Excerpt relating to TaB Energy:
“And back in the U.S., Coke is using its shopworn Tab brand as the label for a new energy drink for women. The new drink is being called Tab Energy, has an energy-drink formulation, and the same can shape as Red Bull. ”
Click here to read more…
TaB Energy (US) Nutritional Information
Ingredients
Carbonated Water, Citric Acid, Taurine, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate (to protect taste), Ginsend Extract, Caffeine, Vegetable Juice (for color), Acesulfame Potassium (“Ace-K,” an artificial sweetener), Sucralose (“Splenda,” an artificial sweetener), Carnitine Fumarate, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Guarana Extract, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
Taurine – 785 mg
Ginseng Extract – 116mg
Carnitine 19mg
Guarana 0.90mg
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size – 1 can (10.5lf oz, 311mL)
Calories – 5
Total Fat – 110mg (0% Daily Value)
Sodium – 110mg (5% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate – 0g (0% Daily Value)
Protein – less than 1g
Niacin 25%
Vitamin B6 25%
Vitamin B12 15%
This drink doesn’t look anything like TaB as far as sweeteners and the flavor.
TaB Energy box and packaging…
A friend who was lucky enough to get a hold of the new TaB Energy packaging sent me a sample… It looks like it will be similar to Red Bull packaging, and will hold 4-cans per package.
A Jolt of Caffeine, by the Can
(“A Jolt of Caffeine, by the Can,” NYTimes.com, November 23, 2005, — by Melanie Warner)
Excerpt relating to TaB Energy:
“A relative latecomer to the energy drink business, Coke is eager to become a much bigger player. In January, the company introduced Full Throttle, and last week it announced plans to revamp the 1970′s brand Tab, which has not been sold in any significant quantities in the last 20 years, as an energy drink aimed at women. It will also start selling a caffeinated version of its Powerade sports drink.”
Click here to read more…
TaB will get an energy makeover…
(“Tab will get energy makeover,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September, 21, 2005 — by Caroline Wilbert)
Bell-bottoms came back into style, more than once. Disco had a resurgence. People are even wearing shirts with little alligators on them again.
So why not Tab?
Click here to read more…
TaB and Artificial Sweeteners (Saccharin, Nutrasweet, etc)
TaB contains 64mg of saccharin, and 19mg of aspartame (Nutra-Sweet).
Sweetener comparison (Click here to download a PDF file that shows ingredients of Coca-Cola products)
TaB: 19mg aspartame, 64mg saccharin (per 8oz) (or 28.5mg aspartame, 90.6mg saccharin per 12 oz can)
Diet Coke (bottled/canned): 125mg aspartame (per 8oz)
Diet Coke (fountain): 23mg aspartame, 47mg saccharin (per 8oz)(or 34.5mg aspartame, 70.5mg saccharin per 12 oz)
Coke Zero: 58mg aspartame, 31mg acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) (per 8oz)
Diet Coke with Splenda: 30mg acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), 40mg sucralose (Splenda) (per 8oz)
TaB Energy: acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), sucralose (Splenda) Currently waiting to hear back about the exact amounts of these sweeteners in Tab Energy
For over 30 years TaB, along with all other products containing saccharin, had to have the following warning on the label:
“Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.”
Saccharin is the oldest low calorie sweetener. It was discovered by accident in 1879 at Johns Hopkins, and has been used as an artificial sweetener ever since. It was first used in many products during World War I when sugar became scarce.
In 1960, studies on saccharin suggested that it caused bladder cancer in rats, and the FDA moved to limit its use. Though Canada banned saccharin outright in 1977, the US Congress placed a moratorium on the ban to allow for more research on saccharin’s safety. This moratorium has been extended seven times due to continued consumer demand. Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have clearly shown that saccharin does not cause cancer in humans, and the original studies were flawed.
In December 2000, after years of review, the original saccharin studies were found to be flawed, the ban was lifted and the warning was removed.
Saccharin vs Aspartame (Nutra-Sweet)
Advantages of Saccharin: Easy to make, stable when heated up, approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar.
Advantages of Aspartame/Nutra-Sweet: Also relatively easy to make, does not have the saccharin/cancer “stigma”, 200 times sweeter than sugar. However, aspartame has a shelf life of about 6 months, after which it breaks down into its constituent components and looses its sweetness abilities. Also, aspartame breaks down in temperatures above 85F.
The original TaB, which did not contain aspartame/Nutra-Sweet, had a much longer shelf life than TaB today.
Many TaB drinkers will drink Diet Coke out of a soda fountain, but not out of a can. This is because fountain Diet Coke contains saccharin (which has a longer shelf-life). Of course, it is still no substitute for TaB.
Click here to download a PDF file that shows the sweetener ingredients in Coca-Cola brand fountain soft drinks.
Diet Coke, 12oz, from a soda fountain, contains 34.5mg of aspartame and 70.5mg of saccharin.
TaB, a 12 oz can, contains 28.5mg of aspartame and 90.6mg of saccharin
Read “The Bitter Truth About a Sweetener Scare” by Dr. Elizabeth Whelan that was in The Wall Street Journal in 1999.
