Pepsi is launching a new drink this fall – with a twist.
The soft drinks giant has unveiled the Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, a soda with extra fiber, in a bid to boost their appeal with health-conscious consumers.
The new drink comes just months after Pepsi purchased Poppi – a prebiotic soda known for its low sugar content and organic “gut-friendly” ingredients such as Apple Cider Vinegar. According to the Texas-based company’s website, Poppi contains 5g of sugar and has 25 calories or less.
The new Pepsi, which will launch in cola and cherry vanilla flavors, will contain five grams of cane sugar, three grams of prebiotic fiber, with no artificial sweeteners. A single can will have 30 calories, Pepsi claims.
The launch promises to deliver “the classic crisp, refreshing taste of Pepsi—with the added functional ingredient of 3 grams of prebiotic fiber.”
“Pepsi Prebiotic Cola represents the next leap forward in giving consumers choice, optionality and functional ingredients in their cola experience, without sacrificing the iconic Pepsi taste we're known for delivering,” CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S. Ram Krishnan said.
The new flavors will be available to buy online this fall and at retail early next year.
Competitors have also switched up to accommodate a shift towards healthier lifestyles.
In February, Coca-Cola launched a prebiotic soda brand called Simply Pop, and included flavors like pineapple mango, lime, strawberry, fruit punch, and citrus punch.
Simply Pop drinks have no added sugar and contain “25% to 30% real fruit juice”, the company said, as well as vitamin C and zinc – two known vitamins that aid the immune system.
Coca-Cola has also announced plans to launch a new Coke product this fall made with U.S. cane sugar – following a request from President Donald Trump.
The company has used high-fructose corn syrup to sweeten its drinks in the U.S. since the 1980s. But it still uses cane sugar in markets like Mexico, where the high levels of sweetness are noticeable.
Trump announced last week that he spoke to Coca-Cola about using “REAL” cane sugar in the U.S. product and company executives had agreed.
“I’d like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola,” he added. “This will be a very good move by them — You’ll see. It’s just better!”
