Soda Specials This Week: School Lunchboxes, Juice Boxes and Cheaper Ways to Keep Children Hydrated
Quick answer: We could not verify this week's soda specials, so this article looks at the household angle: how soft drinks fit into school lunches and what cheaper, healthier options exist. Sweetened drinks carry the Health Promotion Levy of R0.021 per gram of sugar above 4 g per 100 ml, in force since 1 April 2018, so a typical 2-litre cola carries roughly R2.77 of levy on an assumed 10.6 g per 100 ml (our calculation). Single-serve juice boxes and cans cost far more per litre than a large bottle or diluted squash, and water is cheapest of all. For lunchboxes, a reusable bottle filled from a 2-litre bottle or from a jug costs a fraction of single-serve packs.
Last updated: October 2026. We found no verified current soda prices, so every price here is invented to illustrate the method. The levy details come from South African tax rules. Health notes are general and not medical advice.
Background: soda, children and the family budget
Soft drinks are an everyday purchase for many families, and they are especially visible in school lunchboxes and weekend outings. Single-serve products, such as 330 ml cans and 200 ml juice boxes, are convenient, but they are expensive per litre. Retailers know this and promote multipacks and large bottles as specials, so a leaflet may show a bargain on a case of drinks. The problem is that a bargain price per can still costs more than water from the tap, and a steady habit of daily soda adds up quickly over a school year.
Health is the second issue. Sugary drinks deliver large amounts of sugar without making children feel full, and frequent consumption is linked to tooth decay and weight gain. The levy was introduced partly to encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar content, and some brands have reformulated. Parents can use the label to compare sugar per 100 ml, and can choose lower-sugar options or switch to water or milk for daily use, keeping soda for occasional treats.
The cost of a lunchbox drink
Suppose a child takes a drink to school on 190 school days a year. A single-serve pack costing R8 (invented) adds up to R1,520 a year. Filling a reusable bottle from a 2-litre bottle of cordial concentrate diluted to the label ratio might cost R1.50 per serving (invented), or R285 a year, a saving of about R1,235 per child. Water from the tap costs almost nothing. For two children, the difference between single-serve packs and diluted squash exceeds R2,400 a year, which would pay for a month of groceries in many households.
Convenience matters, so compromise where it counts. Freeze a bottle of water or diluted squash overnight so it acts as an ice pack and thaws into a cold drink by lunchtime. Buy a spare reusable bottle so there is always a clean one. For special days, a treat drink in the lunchbox is fine, but making it occasional keeps the habit under control.
| Option (invented prices) | Cost per serving | Cost over 190 school days |
|---|---|---|
| Single-serve juice or soda pack | R8.00 | R1,520 |
| Diluted squash from a large bottle | R1.50 | R285 |
| Tap water in a reusable bottle | Almost R0 | Almost R0 |
Consumer tips
When a soda special does tempt you, work out the unit price: divide the price by the volume in litres. A 2-litre bottle on a three-for-R60 deal costs R10.00 per litre on invented prices, compared with R27.78 per litre for cans. Buy large bottles for the home and decant into smaller bottles if needed. Check the best-before date, as fizzy drinks lose carbonation over time, and do not stockpile more than you can use. Store drinks in a cool, dark cupboard, and avoid leaving them in a hot car.
For the occasional treat, mix your own: sparkling water with a splash of juice has far less sugar than regular soda and costs less. For parties, offer water and diluted squash alongside a few bottles of soda, and let children choose. The aim is not to ban soda but to put it in its place, so that the budget and the family's teeth both benefit. Finally, remember to involve children in the choice; they are more likely to drink water if they pick the bottle and flavour themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Is soda cheaper in big bottles?
Yes, per litre, large bottles are much cheaper than cans or single-serve packs.
What is a cheaper lunchbox drink?
Water or diluted squash in a reusable bottle.
What is the sugary drink levy?
R0.021 per gram of sugar above 4 g per 100 ml, in force since 1 April 2018.
Sources
- National Treasury and SARS: Health Promotion Levy (since 1 April 2018)
- Retailer leaflets for current prices (not verified for this week)