Madeleine Hull
Pepsi Zero Sugar, formerly known as Diet Pepsi Max, is a zero-calorie, sugar-free cola drink. It is a product of PepsiCo, which also manufactures Diet Pepsi. Both drinks contain carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and citric acid. However, the ingredients are not listed in the same order, and Diet Pepsi contains the sweetener acesulfame potassium, which is absent in Pepsi Zero Sugar. This article will explore the ingredients and differences between these two Pepsi products, including whether they contain any color dyes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Diet Pepsi |
| Introduced | 1964 |
| Formerly known as | Patio Diet Cola |
| Type | Diet carbonated cola soft drink |
| Colour | Caramel |
| Ingredients | Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, acesulfame potassium |
| Calories | Zero |
| Sugar | Zero |
| Caffeine | 36 milligrams per 355 mL |
| Packaging | Silver can |
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What You'll Learn
- Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero contain caramel colouring
- Caramel colouring contains a chemical linked to cancer in lab mice
- Pepsi agreed to phase out the chemical, 4-MEI, by 2014
- Diet Pepsi contains the sweetener acesulfame potassium, which Pepsi Zero does not
- Pepsi Zero contains calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive, which Diet Pepsi does not
Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero contain caramel colouring
Pepsi Zero Sugar, previously known as Pepsi Max, also contains caramel colouring. Pepsi Zero Sugar is a zero-calorie, sugar-free cola, sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K. The ingredients in Pepsi Zero Sugar are listed as "carbonated water, caramel colour, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, and citric acid".
While the caramel colouring in Pepsi products is deemed safe for consumption by regulatory agencies, there have been concerns about the presence of a chemical linked to cancer in lab mice. In 2012, PepsiCo agreed to modify its formula and phase out the colouring agent 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) to avoid a cancer label on its products. By 2014, Pepsi announced plans to reduce the amount of 4-MEI in its sodas, and other regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, consider the levels of caramel colouring safe for use in food and beverages.
The presence of caramel colouring in Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar contributes to their similar appearance, with both beverages displaying a rich, caramel colour when poured into a glass. This colouring is a common ingredient in cola-based drinks and helps create a consistent visual identity for the Pepsi brand.
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Caramel colouring contains a chemical linked to cancer in lab mice
Both Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero contain caramel colouring, which gives them their rich caramel colour. In 2013, it was revealed that the caramel colouring used in Pepsi products still contained a chemical linked to cancer in lab mice, despite the company's agreement to change the formula. The chemical in question is called 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), and it was found in high levels in all Pepsi cola products tested by the Center for Environmental Health.
In August 2012, PepsiCo announced that they would modify their cola products after the California state legislature voted to name a caramel colouring agent a carcinogen. However, subsequent tests revealed that the levels of 4-MEI were still high, prompting concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming soda containing this chemical. While PepsiCo insisted that their products were safe for human consumption, they did agree to phase out 4-MEI from their soda formulas to avoid a cancer-label warning on their products.
The company stated that the manufacturing process to reduce the amount of 4-MEI in their sodas would be completed by February 2014 in the United States. They also emphasized that the dosage of 4-MEI in the animal studies was not translatable to human consumption and that there were other, more pressing health concerns associated with drinking soda, such as excess sugar and calories.
It is worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies, including the European Food Safety Authority and Health Canada, consider the use of caramel colouring in beverages and food to be safe. However, the presence of 4-MEI in Pepsi products, even in small amounts, may still be a cause for concern for some consumers, especially those who are health-conscious or have specific dietary restrictions.
As a result of the controversy surrounding 4-MEI, there have been predictions that clear sodas, like Crystal Pepsi, could make a comeback to cater to consumers who wish to avoid all food colouring, even if it is generally considered safe. This trend towards avoiding artificial colours and potential health risks associated with certain chemicals may shape the future of the soft drink industry and influence companies like PepsiCo to reconsider their use of certain ingredients.
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Pepsi agreed to phase out the chemical, 4-MEI, by 2014
PepsiCo's products, including Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero, contain caramel colouring, which is generated from the manufacture of caramel colours III and IV. In 2012, 4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI), an impurity found in these caramel colourings, was added to California's Proposition 65 list, with products sold in the state above a certain threshold requiring a label warning shoppers of the presence of 'known carcinogens'.
In 2013, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) filed a complaint against PepsiCo for violations of California's Proposition 65 in relation to 4-MEI. This was followed by a settlement in 2015, in which Pepsi agreed to limit the levels of 4-MEI in its products shipped for sale in California from 2016 onwards to no more than 100 parts per billion. The company also agreed to apply these product standards nationwide.
Following the settlement, Pepsi announced its intention to phase out 4-MEI as an ingredient in its products nationwide by February 2014. This came after the state of California ruled the ingredient a carcinogen, requiring companies to either change their recipes or clearly label their products as containing 4-MEI. While Pepsi maintained that it had been fully compliant with Proposition 65, it had already removed 4-MEI from its beverages in California prior to the settlement.
Despite the ruling and subsequent changes, both Pepsi and Coca-Cola have refuted the assertion that 4-MEI is unsafe, with a Pepsi representative stating that the company "strongly refutes any claim that any product we sell anywhere is unsafe". Regulatory agencies, including the FDA, Health Canada, and the European Food Safety Authority, have also stated that 4-MEI does not pose a health risk at current intake levels. However, manufacturers have been under pressure to lower levels since 2011, when the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) petitioned the FDA to ban caramel colourings containing 4-MEI.
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Diet Pepsi contains the sweetener acesulfame potassium, which Pepsi Zero does not
Pepsi Zero Sugar (formerly known as Diet Pepsi Max and Pepsi Max) and Diet Pepsi are two similar zero-calorie drinks produced by PepsiCo. While both contain carbonated water, caramel colour, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, and citric acid, they differ in their listed ingredients. The sweetener acesulfame potassium, also known as ace-K, is present in Diet Pepsi but absent in Pepsi Zero. Instead, Pepsi Zero lists calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive for preserving flavour, colour, and texture, which is not found in Diet Pepsi.
The order of ingredients also varies between the two drinks. For instance, aspartame is the third ingredient in Diet Pepsi and the fourth in Pepsi Zero. In terms of taste, Diet Pepsi has a spicier aroma and a tangier flavour compared to Pepsi Zero, which has a smoother and richer taste. Diet Pepsi is also less thirst-quenching than Pepsi Zero and can be slightly harsh when paired with food.
The packaging of the two drinks also differs, with Diet Pepsi featuring a silver can and Pepsi Zero a black can. Over the years, Diet Pepsi has undergone several packaging redesigns, including a change to its logo in October 2008. In 2020, Pepsi Zero Sugar was rebranded with a new logo, and in 2023, the recipe was modified to reduce caffeine, remove ginseng, and adjust the sweetener system.
While the caramel colour in Pepsi products has been a topic of discussion, it is important to note that it is not the same as the red dye known as Red 40. The caramel colour in Pepsi is likely a result of the caramel ingredient listed in both Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero.
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Pepsi Zero contains calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive, which Diet Pepsi does not
Pepsi Zero Sugar, formerly known as Diet Pepsi Max and Pepsi Max, contains calcium disodium EDTA, a food additive that helps preserve flavour, colour, and texture. This additive is not present in Diet Pepsi.
Both Pepsi Zero and Diet Pepsi contain carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, and aspartame. However, Diet Pepsi also lists the sweetener acesulfame potassium, which is not in Pepsi Zero. The two drinks differ in their choice of sweeteners – Diet Pepsi uses only aspartame, while Pepsi Zero uses a combination of aspartame and acesulfame potassium. This blend creates a different level of sweetness, making Pepsi Zero more appealing to some individuals.
In terms of nutritional value, both drinks contain zero calories, although they differ in their serving size. A 12-ounce can of Pepsi Zero contains 35 mg of caffeine, while the same amount of Diet Pepsi contains 24 mg. Diet Pepsi has a spicier aroma and a tangier taste compared to Pepsi Zero, which has a smoother and richer flavour.
Pepsi Zero Sugar was introduced in the United States on June 1, 2007, and in Canada in March 2008. In early 2010, Pepsi released a limited edition called "Pepsi Max Cease Fire," which was Diet Pepsi Lime in the Pepsi Max formula. In 2015, PepsiCo announced that Pepsi Max would be renamed Pepsi Zero Sugar in North America, while the international drink retained the Pepsi Max name. In January 2023, PepsiCo reformulated Pepsi Zero Sugar in the United States to reduce caffeine, remove ginseng, and tweak the sweetener system.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Diet Pepsi Zero contains caramel color dye.
Caramel color is a food coloring or color additive that adds color to food or drink. It is derived from natural sources like carrots and other plants or can be artificial, derived from petroleum.
In 2012, the California state legislature voted to name a caramel coloring agent, 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a carcinogen. However, PepsiCo maintains that its products are safe and that 4-MEI does not pose a safety issue for humans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies also consider caramel coloring safe for use in beverages and food.
Yes, one alternative is Crystal Pepsi, which was released for a limited time in 2016, 2018, and 2022. This drink does not contain any color dye.
The ingredients in Diet Pepsi Zero vary slightly by region but generally include carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, and citric acid.
