Leena Watts
PepsiCo's decision to replace aspartame with sucralose in its Diet Pepsi drinks in 2015 sparked curiosity about the ingredients in its other beverages. Aspartame was deemed unhealthy by consumers, leading to a sales decline and prompting the company to make a change. This raises the question: does Diet Cherry Pepsi, a drink with a strong fan base, contain sucralose? While some consumers have noticed changes in the drink's formula, Pepsi has denied altering the recipe. This leaves consumers wondering about the ingredients in their favourite cherry-flavoured drink.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium (ace K) |
| Calories | Zero calories |
| Carbonation | Lighter carbonation than the old Diet Pepsi |
| Caffeine | Caffeinated and caffeine-free versions available |
| Flavors | Regular, Wild Cherry, Mango, Lime |
| Package Sizes | 12 fl oz cans, 16.9 oz bottles, 20 oz bottles |
| Availability | Available in the US, UK, Chicago, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Texas, Ohio, and on Amazon |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Cherry Pepsi is available in some US states
In 2015, Pepsi made the decision to replace aspartame with sucralose in its diet drinks, including Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi. This was due to a decline in sales of its zero-calorie drinks, and in response to customer complaints about aspartame.
Despite this reformulation, it appears that Diet Cherry Pepsi is still hard to come by in some areas. During the onset of Covid, Pepsi stopped manufacturing Diet Cherry Pepsi, citing an aluminum shortage. While it is still available in some US states, such as Chicago, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York, it seems that it is not as widely available as it once was. Some people have reported only being able to find it in certain stores, while others have said that it is completely unavailable in their area.
The availability of Diet Cherry Pepsi appears to vary across the US, with some states and cities having better access than others. For example, in Pittsburgh, it is reportedly only available in cans, while in Kansas City, Missouri, it seems to be unavailable altogether.
The formula of Diet Cherry Pepsi also seems to have changed, with some people noticing a difference in taste. However, Pepsi has denied that there have been any changes made to the drink.
Despite the challenges in finding Diet Cherry Pepsi, it remains a popular choice for those who enjoy diet soda, with some people expressing a preference for it over other cherry-flavored options.
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Diet Cherry Pepsi is sold in some stores in the UK
Diet Cherry Pepsi is available for purchase in the UK via Amazon.co.uk. The product is eligible for free delivery to UK addresses.
In 2015, Pepsi replaced aspartame with sucralose in its diet drinks in the US, including Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi. However, it is unclear whether this change was also implemented in the UK.
Some sources indicate that Diet Cherry Pepsi was discontinued during the onset of COVID, citing an aluminum shortage as the reason for the discontinuation. However, others claim that it is still available in certain areas of the US, such as Chicago, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.
It is worth noting that the availability of Diet Cherry Pepsi may vary by region and retailer, as some individuals have reported difficulty in finding the product in certain areas.
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Diet Cherry Pepsi has been replaced by Pepsi Zero Sugar in some markets
Diet Cherry Pepsi has been a popular drink for many, but it seems that it has been hard to come by in some markets. In 2020, there were reports of Diet Pepsi, including Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, being scarce or discontinued in some stores. Some customers noted that they could no longer find Diet Cherry Pepsi in certain stores, including Costco and Sam's Club, and that it was only available in cans in some areas.
PepsiCo's response to these concerns has been varied. While they initially denied any changes to the formula, they later admitted to replacing aspartame with sucralose in their diet drinks in 2015, including Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi. This change was made in response to customer complaints about aspartame and the decline in sales of their zero-calorie offerings. The company claimed that the new formula would provide the same refreshing and great cola taste that consumers expected from Pepsi.
Despite these assurances, some loyal fans of Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi have noticed a change in the drink's taste, describing it as tasting like garlic. This has led to speculation that Pepsi may have quietly altered the formula again. However, the company has denied this, and it is unclear whether the taste change is due to a new formula or other factors.
In some markets, Diet Cherry Pepsi has been replaced by Pepsi Zero Sugar, previously known as Pepsi Max. This change seems to be driven by consumer preferences, as the "zero" drinks are reported to taste much closer to their regular sugar counterparts than the "diet" versions. While some fans of Diet Cherry Pepsi are disappointed by the change, others have expressed a preference for Pepsi Zero Sugar or other "zero" drinks, such as Cherry Coke Zero.
The availability of Diet Cherry Pepsi seems to vary by region, with some reporting that it is still available in Chicago, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and Texas, while others state that it is hard to find or has been discontinued in their area. The varying availability and taste changes have caused frustration for fans of the drink, who are unsure if they can still rely on finding their favorite beverage on the market.
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Diet Cherry Pepsi contains aspartame
Aspartame has been deemed safe by all major scientific and regulatory bodies, including the FDA, which has rejected calls for an aspartame ban. However, in 2015, PepsiCo announced that it would be replacing aspartame with sucralose in its Diet Pepsi drinks in the US. This change was made in response to customer complaints and a sales drop for its diet drinks. The company stated that the new formulation was developed "after extensive research and testing with US diet cola drinkers".
Despite the change in sweetener, some people have noticed a difference in the taste of Diet Cherry Pepsi. One person commented that they could not find the drink in the 16.9 oz 6 packs or 20 oz versions and that the formula seemed to have changed, giving it a garlic taste. Another person noted that all of PepsiCo's "diet" drinks have a strong aspartame aftertaste.
It is worth noting that Diet Cherry Pepsi may be harder to find in some areas. During the onset of COVID, Pepsi stopped producing Diet Cherry Pepsi, citing an aluminum shortage as the reason. While some areas resumed stocking the drink, others have noticed that it has become harder to find again.
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Sucralose is an artificial sweetener
Aspartame is made from two amino acids, which are described as "building blocks of protein just like those found naturally in many everyday foods such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs, and milk". Despite this, aspartame has been the number one reason why US consumers say they are drinking less diet cola. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which has campaigned against aspartame, said that Diet Pepsi being marketed as "Aspartame-Free" was an acknowledgment that consumers have become more wary of aspartame.
The new Diet Pepsi formula, which includes sucralose, has a gentler and less aggressive flavor. The carbonation also feels lighter, making it a good option for those who are put off by the carbonation in other sodas. The wild cherry flavor was a favorite among tasters, with the milder sweetness of sucralose complementing the cherry flavor.
While some consumers have noticed a change in the taste of Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi, Pepsi has denied that there has been a change in the formula. Diet Cherry Pepsi is available in some areas of the US, including Chicago, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Diet Cherry Pepsi has sucralose. Pepsi replaced aspartame with sucralose in its diet drinks in 2015.
Pepsi's sales of its zero-calorie drinks had dropped. Aspartame was the number one reason why US consumers said they were drinking less diet cola. The company also received complaints about aspartame.
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is typically in yellow packets, branded Splenda. It is also used in General Mills' Yoplait Light yogurts.
