Diet Pepsi Remakes Its Sweetener

by Nate Wooley | December 17, 2012 9:52 am

[1]PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP[2]) is changing the sweetener used in its flagship low-calorie soda, Diet Pepsi.

Previously, the diet drink had used aspartame exclusively in its formula. But a spokesman for PepsiCo said Sunday that a new formula has hit shelves this month, The Wall Street Journal reports[3]. As current inventories at retailers run low, the new formula will appear around the world.

The move is an effort on PepsiCo’s part to stabilize the taste of the drink. Aspartame is vulnerable to breaking down over time or when exposed to heat. The new formula, which includes acesulfame potassium in a mix with aspartame, is designed to maintain the drink’s flavor over time.

Pepsi, which has been losing market share to archrival Coke (NYSE:KO[4]) recently, is making an effort to revamp its products and marketing. The company is now the sponsor of the Super Bowl halftime show and has signed Beyonce to a long-term co-marketing contract[5]. Other stars signed to promote Pepsi’s products are singer Nicki Minaj, quarterback Drew Brees and boy band One Direction.

Diet Pepsi is currently the seventh-most popular carbonated soft drink. Its market share has declined from 5.3% in 2000 to 4.9%.

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Endnotes:

  1. [Image]: https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/diet-pepsi.jpg
  2. PEP: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=PEP
  3. The Wall Street Journal reports: http://online.wsj.com/article/AP9a89eace3f784417b7ef8d177ad7e3e7.html
  4. KO: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=KO
  5. Beyonce to a long-term co-marketing contract: https://investorplace.com/2012/12/beyonce-lands-eye-popping-deal-with-pepsi/
  6. Beyonce Lands Eye-Popping Deal With Pepsi: https://investorplace.com/2012/12/beyonce-lands-eye-popping-deal-with-pepsi/
  7. Tropicana Turns to Carrots to Juice Sales: https://investorplace.com/2012/12/tropicana-turns-to-carrots-to-juice-sales/
  8. Coca-Cola Powers Up With Protein Drink Shake: https://investorplace.com/2012/12/coca-cola-powers-up-with-protein-drink-stake/

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