The new Pepsi Zero Sugar soda has been announced by PepsiCo as a way to help the effervescent refreshment more closely resemble the flavor of its original cola with sugar.
The soda is reported to have the same caffeine level as original Pepsi and has had the ginseng removed from the formula. The new version of the soda is reported by the brand to be favored over the previous version when it comes to both liking and purchase intent, according to PepsiCo. The reformulation comes as the first of several upcoming launches with Wild Cherry and Mango flavors set to be reformulated for spring.
Vice President of R&D at PepsiCo Beverages North America Damian Browne commented on the process behind the new Pepsi Zero Sugar soda saying, "It is not as simple as pulling sugar out of the product, you must add ingredients one at a time, monitoring the flavor impact and fine tuning the amounts of ingredients until you get the perfect taste."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cola Reformulation
- There is an opportunity for companies to reformulate their sugar-free colas to more closely resemble the taste of their original cola with sugar.
- Flavor Monitoring
- Companies can develop new products through monitoring the flavor impact of adding new ingredients and fine tuning their amounts until they achieve the perfect taste.
- Soda Reformulation
- There is an opportunity for companies to reformulate their sodas to improve their liking and purchase intent among consumers.
Where This Applies
- Beverage Industry
- Beverage companies can develop new reformulations and flavors for their sugar-free colas to appeal to consumers who prefer the taste of regular soda.
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Companies in the food and beverage industry can use flavor monitoring to develop new products and improve existing ones, leading to better tasting options for consumers.
- Consumer Goods Industry
- Companies in the consumer goods industry can leverage reformulations to improve the liking and purchase intent of their products and increase sales.
