PepsiCo Tests Reduced-Sugar Cola Innovation

PepsiCo, Inc. announces at the Beverage Digest Wall Street Smarts conference that the company will test, beginning in July, a new reduced-sugar cola, Pepsi NEXT, in two markets in Iowa and Wisconsin. Pepsi NEXT leverages both the formulation expertise of PepsiCo's R&D team, which delivered this new cola product, and Pepsi's understanding of the evolving preferences of U.S. consumers.

 

"As part of our continued commitment to innovate our carbonated soft-drinks portfolio, we developed Pepsi NEXT, a great tasting, full-flavor cola with 60 percent less sugar," says Massimo d'Amore, CEO, PepsiCo Beverages America. "In thorough consumer research, Pepsi NEXT resonated very well with consumers who are seeking a new, reduced sugar alternative to their loved cola."

 

Pepsi NEXT was created for consumers who seek the rich taste of full-calorie cola but have decreased their consumption in order to reduce the sugar in their diet. While sugar-reduction is a priority for this segment, they have not adopted the flavor profile of a zero calorie cola. Pepsi NEXT aims to deliver in the sweet-spot for these consumers with its real cola flavor and 60 percent less sugar.