Standard Ribena (concentrate rather than ready made) contains:

Water, Sugar, Glucose Fructose Syrup (from wheat and maize), Blackcurrant Juice from Concentrate (22%), Citric Acid,
Vitamin C, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulphite), Colour (Anthocyanins)

Source: http://www.ribena.co.uk/accessible/o...s/index.html#1

I hope this helps solve the issue,

Jim

> wrote in message ups.com...
>
>
> Upon further consideration, several things have occurred to me.
>
> First, this must be one heck of a sweet beverage if it must be thinned
> out before fermentation. Various sources online describe Ribena as a
> beverage, but your recipe describes it as a syrup. Are there different
> varieties of this product?
>
> Second, and more relevant to your query, perhaps they have changed the
> formulation of it. Are you certain that it only contains SO2? Even a
> small amount of other preservatives would prevent fermentation. Look
> for "Sorbic acid" or "Sorbate" on the label. If you find either, I very
> much doubt you'll ever get the yeast started.
>
> Regards,
>
> Greg G.
>