Madeleine Hull
Diet Pepsi is a diet carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo and introduced in 1964 as a sugar-free variant of Pepsi. In 2016, an aspartame-sweetened version of Diet Pepsi, called the Classic Sweetener Blend, was released. This version was discontinued in late 2017. The Classic Diet Pepsi Taste, with aspartame as its main sweetener, was then added to the permanent formula. Despite rumours of its discontinuation, Diet Pepsi is still available, although Pepsi is pushing retailers to offer Pepsi Zero Sugar as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1964 |
| Packaging | Glass bottles and cans |
| Ingredients | Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, sodium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, flavour (natural), and citric acid |
| Concerns | Aspartame linked to health risks |
| Sales | Declined by 5.1% in 2016 |
| Flavour Variants | Pepsi Max, Pepsi Zero Sugar |
| Current Status | Not discontinued |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Diet Pepsi's formula has been altered over the years, with the removal and re-addition of aspartame
- The drink's packaging has been updated several times, including the return of the traditional Pepsi globe in 1986
- Diet Pepsi is facing declining sales, with consumers expressing aversion to aspartame
- PepsiCo has been pushing retailers to offer Pepsi Zero Sugar, which also contains aspartame
- Diet Pepsi was first introduced in 1964 as a no-sugar variant of Pepsi
Diet Pepsi's formula has been altered over the years, with the removal and re-addition of aspartame
Diet Pepsi has undergone several formula changes over the years, with the sweetener aspartame being removed and later re-added.
Aspartame has been a controversial ingredient, with critics expressing concerns over its potential health risks. In 1996, a 60 Minutes report alleged a link between aspartame and brain tumours in humans. While regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have deemed it safe for consumption, public perception of the sweetener remained negative. This negative perception contributed to a decline in Diet Pepsi sales, with consumers increasingly seeking healthier and more natural drink options.
In 2015, PepsiCo announced that it would remove aspartame from several diet soda products, including Diet Pepsi, Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi, and Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi. The company replaced aspartame with a mix of artificial sweeteners, sucralose (Splenda), and acesulfame potassium. This change was reflected in the packaging, with "Now Aspartame Free" written on the Pepsi globe.
However, in 2016, PepsiCo reintroduced aspartame to Diet Pepsi with the release of the Classic Sweetener Blend. This variant featured the original 2003-2006 wordmark, a light blue label, and the caption "Classic Sweetener Blend." It was discontinued in late 2017, and the packaging was updated to include the title "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste."
The decision to bring back aspartame was influenced by brand loyalists who preferred the original sweetener. Despite the health concerns and confusing research surrounding aspartame, the aspartame-free version remained available through e-commerce platforms.
HCG Diet: Grissono or Melba?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The drink's packaging has been updated several times, including the return of the traditional Pepsi globe in 1986
The drinks packaging for Diet Pepsi has been updated several times since its introduction in 1964, when it was packaged in glass bottles and made available in cans. The following year, in 1965, Pepsi-Cola merged with Frito-Lay of Dallas, Texas, forming PepsiCo, Inc.
In 1973, the literal depiction of the bottle cap was retired in favour of a simplified representation, and the wordmark was made smaller to fit within the perimeter of the disc. Diet Pepsi was given a unique striped version of the Pepsi Globe in 1984, and the standard Globe underwent a minor update in 1987.
The 1986 label marked the return of the traditional Pepsi Globe, with the Pepsi name moved outside of the Globe. The "ONE CALORIE" caption was shifted upward, and the Diet Pepsi name was in Handel Gothic Bold. This was the first product to add "freshness dating" on the package, with a caption saying, "For Best Taste, Drink By Date On Bottom Of Can". The "Diet" part was written in red.
In 1991, a New Design Collectors Edition was released to promote the redesigned label. In 1993, the logo was diagonal, and everything except the Pepsi Globe was rotated, making the lines diagonal. In 1997, the "New Look, Same Great Taste" version featured a red script "Diet" and a CGI globe, with the Pepsi name sporting a drop shadow. The globe increased in size, and all typography became bolder. In 1999, the slogan, "So light, so crisp, so refreshing" was added.
In 2003, the typeface was updated, and the Pepsi Globe became more detailed. In 2005, the "Diet" part decreased in size, and the Pepsi globe was often shifted down. In 2009, the globe was redesigned to resemble a grinning face, and in 2010, the "smile" globe replaced the "grin" globe.
Pepsi's Antacid Claims: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Diet Pepsi is facing declining sales, with consumers expressing aversion to aspartame
Diet Pepsi, a diet carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo, has been facing declining sales due to consumers' aversion to aspartame and a general shift towards healthier beverage options. In 2015, PepsiCo decided to remove aspartame from Diet Pepsi in response to customer feedback and health concerns associated with the artificial sweetener. This move was short-lived, as by 2016, the company reintroduced aspartame in Diet Pepsi due to declining sales of the aspartame-free version and consumer preference for the original taste.
Aspartame has been a controversial topic, with critics expressing concerns about potential health risks, including links to brain tumors and cancer. However, regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have deemed it safe for human consumption. The confusion and concerns surrounding aspartame have impacted the sales of diet sodas, with consumers increasingly seeking healthier alternatives.
In an effort to boost sales and cater to diverse preferences, PepsiCo has made several changes to Diet Pepsi's formulation and marketing strategy. They reintroduced aspartame in 2016 with the launch of the Classic Sweetener Blend, which featured a retro blue can and the original taste. This move aimed to appeal to loyalists who preferred the classic taste. However, the company continued to offer aspartame-free versions of Diet Pepsi in silver cans, providing consumers with choices that met their varying needs and taste preferences.
Additionally, PepsiCo has experimented with different sweeteners in Diet Pepsi. In 2012, they combined aspartame with acesulfame potassium (ace-K) to prevent taste degradation, and in 2018, they nearly tripled the caffeine content while adding functional benefits to cater to modern consumers' demands. The company has also focused on providing bold flavors and cosmetic changes, such as the "Retro Design" label, to differentiate their products and attract consumers.
While there have been concerns about the potential discontinuation of Diet Pepsi, the company has reassured that it is not going anywhere. Instead, PepsiCo is pushing for more retailers to carry Pepsi Zero Sugar, giving customers a wider range of options, including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar. This strategy aligns with the increasing consumer demand for choice and variety in the soft drink market.
Diet Drinks: Calories in Arizona Green Tea?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
PepsiCo has been pushing retailers to offer Pepsi Zero Sugar, which also contains aspartame
PepsiCo has been pushing retailers to offer Pepsi Zero Sugar, which contains aspartame, as an alternative to Diet Pepsi. This is part of a strategy to provide customers with three options: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar. Pepsi Zero Sugar, formerly known as Diet Pepsi Max and then Pepsi Max, is a zero-calorie, sugar-free, formerly ginseng-infused cola. It is sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame K and was rebranded in 2016 to make it clear that it is a diet drink.
Aspartame is a controversial artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than regular table sugar. It has been the subject of health concerns, particularly in 1996 following a 60 Minutes report alleging a possible link to brain tumors in humans. However, regulatory agencies in various countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have deemed it safe for consumption.
In 2015, PepsiCo removed aspartame from its U.S. diet sodas but brought it back a year later with the release of the Classic Sweetener Blend, which was distinguished by its teal background label. The Classic Sweetener Blend was discontinued in 2017, and Diet Pepsi permanently added aspartame to its formula. The entire logo was resized, and the caption "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste" was added, reminiscent of the "Coca-Cola Classic" title used from 1985 to 2009.
Despite the push for Pepsi Zero Sugar, PepsiCo has stated that they have no plans to discontinue Diet Pepsi. A PepsiCo spokesperson emphasized that consumers want choices in diet colas, and the company aims to provide a range of options to meet differing needs and taste preferences.
Zone Diet: When Will You See Results?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Diet Pepsi was first introduced in 1964 as a no-sugar variant of Pepsi
Diet Pepsi, currently styled as PEPSI DIET, was first introduced in 1964 as a no-sugar variant of Pepsi. It was test-marketed in 1963 under the name Patio Diet Cola and rebranded as Diet Pepsi the following year. This made Diet Pepsi the first diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the United States.
When it was first introduced in 1964, Diet Pepsi was packaged in glass bottles and was also available in cans. It began to be promoted independently of Pepsi in the late 1960s, with the first television advertisement for the standalone product called "Girlwatchers".
The 1986 label marked the return of the traditional Pepsi globe, with the Pepsi name moved outside the globe. The "ONE CALORIE" caption was shifted upward, and the Diet Pepsi name was in Handel Gothic Bold. This was also the first product to add "freshness dating" to the package, with a caption saying, "For Best Taste, Drink By Date On Bottom Of Can".
In 2016, an individual Diet Pepsi with aspartame, called the Classic Sweetener Blend, was released. It was discontinued in late 2017, and the Classic Diet Pepsi Taste was introduced, adding aspartame permanently to the formula.
Diet Pepsi is currently marketed as having zero calories in the United States, as FDA guidelines allow products with fewer than five calories per serving to be labelled as containing "zero calories". However, the ingredients comprising its makeup vary in some cases by the country of origin.
Atkins Diet Induction Phase: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Diet Pepsi is not discontinued. However, Pepsi is pushing all retailers to have Pepsi Zero, which contains aspartame, instead.
Pepsi Zero is a more recent product that is being pushed by Pepsi to retailers. It is a low-calorie cola alternative to the original Pepsi, which contains no sugar.
The ingredients in Diet Pepsi are listed as carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, aspartame, sodium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, flavour (natural), and citric acid.
There has been controversy around the safety of aspartame, particularly in 1996 following a report by 60 Minutes, which alleged that aspartame might be linked to the development of brain tumours in humans. However, regulatory bodies in the US, UK, Europe, and Canada have deemed it safe for consumption.
The current packaging of Diet Pepsi features the "Classic Diet Pepsi Taste" logo, with a grey background and the 1986 can design.
