Milly Gaines
There has been some concern over the years that Pepsi would discontinue its classic Diet Pepsi. In 2015, the company changed the formula, removing aspartame, which caused backlash from customers. In response, Pepsi brought back the aspartame-sweetened version of Diet Pepsi in 2016, calling it Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend. However, this was discontinued in late 2017, and the company added Classic Diet Pepsi Taste to its logo. As of 2024, Pepsi is pushing its Pepsi Zero Sugar product, but it has been stated that Diet Pepsi is not going anywhere, and the company wants customers to have the option between Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend | Released in 2016, discontinued in 2017 |
| Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend | Teal background, typography from 2002, caption on the Pepsi Globe reading "Classic Sweetener Blend" |
| Diet Pepsi | Silver label |
| Diet Pepsi | Grey background, 1986 can design |
| Diet Pepsi | Gold label (in Australia) |
| Diet Pepsi | Aspartame formulation |
| Diet Pepsi | Sucralose and acesulfame K formulation |
| Diet Pepsi | Caffeine-free version available |
| Diet Pepsi | Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium, phenylketonurics |
| Pepsi's Goal | Provide three options: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar |
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What You'll Learn
- Diet Pepsi's formula has included the artificial sweetener, aspartame, since 1983
- In 2015, Pepsi changed the formula, removing aspartame, but customers disliked this
- In 2016, Pepsi brought back the aspartame formula as Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend
- In 2018, Diet Pepsi's logo was redesigned as part of the retro labels series
- Pepsi is pushing retailers to stock Pepsi Zero Sugar, which may lead to Diet Pepsi being discontinued
Diet Pepsi's formula has included the artificial sweetener, aspartame, since 1983
The artificial sweetener aspartame has been a part of Diet Pepsi's formula since 1983. Initially, Diet Pepsi was sweetened with the artificial sweetener saccharin, but concerns over its safety emerged in the 1970s, prompting a shift to aspartame.
Aspartame has been a source of controversy, particularly following a 1996 report by 60 Minutes, which alleged that the sweetener might be linked to the development of brain tumours in humans. However, regulatory bodies worldwide have deemed aspartame safe for consumption, and it continues to be used in Diet Pepsi.
In 2015, Pepsi made the decision to replace aspartame with sucralose in its Diet Pepsi formula, leading to a backlash from loyal customers. In response to this, Pepsi reintroduced the aspartame-sweetened version of Diet Pepsi in 2016, known as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend". This version featured a teal background on its label and used the typography from 2002.
The following year, in 2017, the "Classic Sweetener Blend" was discontinued, and Diet Pepsi's formula permanently returned to using aspartame as the main sweetener. The packaging was updated to include the title "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste", reminiscent of the "Coca-Cola Classic" branding used from 1985 to 2009.
Aspartame remains a key ingredient in Diet Pepsi, listed as one of the main sweeteners in the drink's formulation across various countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK.
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In 2015, Pepsi changed the formula, removing aspartame, but customers disliked this
In 2015, Pepsi changed its formula, removing aspartame, but customers disliked this change. The new formula was sweetened with a blend of acesulfame potassium and sucralose. PepsiCo stated that its team had been "working to reformulate this product so that it has less sugar but still maintains the great taste people expect". They continued, "Our recipe change is part of our ongoing work to provide healthy products. We have updated the nutritional labelling on pack and on our website".
However, this change was not well-received by Pepsi drinkers. Some customers complained that the new formula had a "disgusting aftertaste". Others noted that they were allergic to artificial sweeteners and that Pepsi had not adequately advertised the change in formula, leaving them at risk of an adverse reaction. One customer wrote, "I've called your customer service department and was fraudulently told that [you] didn't change the recipe".
In 2016, Pepsi released an individual Diet Pepsi with aspartame, called the Classic Sweetener Blend. This drink was discontinued in late 2017, and the entire logo was made smaller, with a new caption, "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste". As of 2018, Diet Pepsi's label reads, "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste, Retro Design".
It seems that Pepsi has continued to use the new formula for its classic Pepsi product, despite some backlash from customers.
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In 2016, Pepsi brought back the aspartame formula as Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend
In 2015, PepsiCo decided to replace the aspartame in Diet Pepsi with another artificial sweetener, sucralose, in response to customer feedback. The company believed that the sweetener was to blame for the decline in sales. However, this move backfired, and in 2016, Pepsi brought back the aspartame formula as Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend. The new product was released in three SKUs – 12-packs, 2-liter bottles, and 20-oz bottles – and featured retro packaging with a teal background and the typography from 2002. The caption on the Pepsi Globe read, "Classic Sweetener Blend".
The reintroduction of the aspartame formula was part of Pepsi's strategy to offer more choices to its consumers. The company stated that consumers wanted more options within its diet colas, and by bringing back the aspartame formula, Pepsi aimed to cater to different preferences and tastes. The Classic Sweetener Blend was kept as a limited offering, while the aspartame-free version remained the mainstream variety.
The decision to bring back the aspartame formula was also influenced by the success of Diet Coke, which had retained the use of aspartame. In contrast, Diet Pepsi's aspartame-free version experienced an 8.0% drop in sales volume in 2017. By reversing course and bringing back the aspartame formula, Pepsi hoped to regain consumer loyalty and improve sales.
The Classic Sweetener Blend was discontinued in late 2017, and the entire logo was redesigned to be smaller, with the caption "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste". In 2018, Diet Pepsi introduced retro labels, featuring the 1986 can design, with the caption "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste, Retro Design".
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In 2018, Diet Pepsi's logo was redesigned as part of the retro labels series
Pepsi has had a long history of redesigning its logo and labels. The logo has seen many redesigns, including changes to the type of logo, logo fonts, and even adding a logo color. In 2018, Diet Pepsi's logo was redesigned as part of the retro labels series. The retro labels were a throwback to the 1986 can design, featuring a grey background with the classic Pepsi globe and the Diet Pepsi name in Handel Gothic Bold. The "ONE CALORIE" caption is shifted upward, and the entire logo is slightly smaller than the previous version. The retro edition was first leaked on Meijer.com, and later confirmed with the release of 12 oz cans and 20 oz bottles.
The history of the Pepsi logo is one of constant reimagination. One of the most notable changes came in 1973 when Pepsi switched to the globe logo, a simple change that involved dropping the ridges from the bottle cap. In 1975, the logo underwent another modification, with the addition of a coloured background and a change in the stripe colour across the middle of the word "Pepsi". The font size was also reduced to fit inside the perimeter of the globe, and the colour was changed to blue.
Pepsi continued to tweak its logo over the years, with more significant changes occurring in 1986, 1991, 1993, 1997, and 1999. The 1986 redesign marked the return of the traditional Pepsi globe, with the Pepsi name moved outside of the globe, and the "ONE CALORIE" caption shifted upward. This version of the logo was used for the Classic Sweetener Blend variety from 2016 to 2017. In 1991, a New Design Collectors Edition was released to promote the redesigned label, and in 1993, the logo was rotated diagonally, with the addition of "freshness dating" on the package.
In 2003, Pepsi introduced a more three-dimensional logo with conspicuous white "shine" spots, giving it a vacuum-sealed look. The background gradient was adjusted, and the light source was shifted to the lower left corner. The logo was further refined in 2006, with the addition of glistening condensation droplets, enhancing the three-dimensional effect. In 2008, the logo took on a new shape with three band thicknesses to distinguish between regular Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Max. This logo was criticised as being too simple or lazy, but Pepsi stood by its choice and only made slight tweaks in 2014, removing the blue outline from the globe.
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Pepsi is pushing retailers to stock Pepsi Zero Sugar, which may lead to Diet Pepsi being discontinued
Pepsi has been making changes to its soda line-up in recent years, including discontinuing some of its products. While there is no official confirmation, it appears that Pepsi is pushing retailers to stock Pepsi Zero Sugar, which may lead to Diet Pepsi being discontinued.
Pepsi Zero Sugar, formerly known as Diet Pepsi Max and Pepsi Max, is a zero-calorie, sugar-free, and ginseng-infused cola. It was introduced in the United States on June 1, 2007, and has since undergone several recipe and branding changes. In 2016, the "Diet" part was dropped from its name, and in 2022, the caffeine content was reduced, and ginseng was removed.
On the other hand, Diet Pepsi has been a mainstay in the soft drink market since its introduction in 1963. Over the years, it has undergone various formula and packaging changes, including the addition of aspartame as a permanent sweetener in 2016.
The push for Pepsi Zero Sugar seems to be part of a larger trend of soda companies trying to bridge the gap between their diet and regular products. With the word "diet" falling out of favor, zero-sugar options have gained popularity. This shift in consumer preferences may be why Pepsi is encouraging retailers to stock Pepsi Zero Sugar over Diet Pepsi.
While there is no official announcement regarding the discontinuation of Diet Pepsi, the push for Pepsi Zero Sugar may indicate that PepsiCo is considering phasing out Diet Pepsi. This would be in line with the company's recent decisions to discontinue other products, such as the Sierra Mist line and various flavors of its signature soda.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Diet Pepsi is not going anywhere. Pepsi is pushing for Pepsi Zero Sugar, but it is not discontinuing Diet Pepsi.
Pepsi wants customers to have the option to choose between Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Diet Pepsi is represented worldwide as a low- or no-calorie beverage, while Pepsi Zero Sugar is a sugar-free beverage.
The sweetener used in Diet Pepsi has varied over the years. In 1983, Diet Pepsi switched from saccharin to aspartame. In 2015, Diet Pepsi changed its sweetener from aspartame to sucralose and acesulfame potassium, but due to backlash, aspartame was brought back in 2016.
