Dante Carrillo
In 2015, PepsiCo replaced aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi in the US. Aspartame was deemed to have attracted negative health perceptions, with consumers drinking less diet cola as a result. The new formula was developed after extensive research and testing with US diet cola drinkers, and the move was expected to be appreciated by those who drink several cans a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for change | Aspartame was deemed to be the number one reason why US consumers were drinking less Diet Pepsi |
| New sweetener | Sucralose |
| Other products using sucralose | Diet Gummi Bears, Yoplait Light yogurts |
| Sucralose taste | Gentler, less aggressive, milder sweetness |
| Caffeine-free version | More flavorful than the regular version |
| Wild cherry version | Unanimous favorite |
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What You'll Learn
Aspartame replaced by sucralose in 2015
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in food and beverages since the 1980s. It is about 200 times sweeter than table sugar, contributing very few or no calories to the diet. Aspartame is also known by the brand names Nutrasweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin.
In 2023, the FDA, WHO, and FAO released assessments of the health impacts of aspartame. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B), while the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of up to 40 mg/kg of body weight. JECFA concluded that there was no sufficient reason to change the previously established acceptable daily intake, and the FDA disagreed with IARC's conclusion, citing shortcomings in the studies.
Following these assessments, in 2020, PepsiCo announced a reboot of Diet Pepsi, replacing aspartame with sucralose, another artificial sweetener. This change in sweetener resulted in a gentler and less aggressive flavor, with lighter carbonation. The new Diet Pepsi is available in three flavors: wild cherry, caffeine-free, and regular.
It is important to note that the replacement of aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi was likely influenced by the health assessments and concerns about the potential carcinogenic effects of aspartame. However, the FDA and other regulatory agencies continue to review and assess the safety of food additives, including aspartame, to ensure consumer safety.
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Sucralose is an artificial sweetener
In 2015, PepsiCo replaced aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi in the US. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener, 200 times sweeter than sugar, but with a similar taste profile. Aspartame was the number one reason why US consumers were drinking less Diet Pepsi, so the company decided to switch to sucralose, which has not had as much bad press. The new formula was developed after extensive research and testing with US diet cola drinkers.
The change in sweetener also resulted in a change in taste. The new flavour is gentler and less aggressive, with lighter carbonation. The caffeine-free version was found to be more flavourful than the regular Diet Pepsi, and the wild cherry flavour was a unanimous favourite, with the milder sweetness of the sucralose lending itself to the cherry flavour.
The move to replace aspartame with another artificial sweetener may seem odd, given that artificial sweeteners have an image problem. Aspartame has been on the market for a long time and has attracted negative health perceptions, despite being deemed safe by scientific and regulatory bodies. Sucralose, while also having its own share of negative PR, was seen as a better alternative.
The decision to remove aspartame from Diet Pepsi was also influenced by the changing preferences of consumers. While people were once moving towards diet sodas, they now view real sugar as being healthier. This shift in preferences has impacted the sales of carbonated soft drinks, which now account for less than 25% of global revenues for PepsiCo.
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Aspartame deemed safe by scientific bodies
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is used in a variety of food and beverage products, including diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products, breakfast cereal, toothpaste, and medications. In the United States, it is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has approved its use as a sweetener.
The FDA has reviewed more than 100 studies on aspartame and concluded that it is safe for human consumption when used under approved conditions. The FDA has established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for aspartame, which is 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. This is higher than the ADI recommended by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is 40 mg/kg/day.
JECFA, an international expert committee run jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the safety of aspartame and concluded that there is no convincing evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated aspartame and considers it safe at current permitted use levels.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the WHO, has classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on limited evidence for cancer in humans, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. However, the FDA disagrees with this conclusion and states that there are significant shortcomings in the studies on which IARC relied. The FDA continues to monitor the scientific literature and stay abreast of current consumer exposure levels to ensure the safety of aspartame.
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Sucralose is 200 times sweeter than sugar
In 2015, PepsiCo replaced aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi in the US. Aspartame was the number one reason why US consumers were drinking less diet cola. Although aspartame has been deemed safe by all major scientific and regulatory bodies, it has attracted negative health perceptions. Sucralose, on the other hand, is also an artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It has a similar taste profile to aspartame but is made from two amino acids, which can be found in many everyday foods such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs, and milk. The new formula was developed after extensive research and testing with US diet cola drinkers, who had been asking for a great-tasting cola without aspartame.
The change in sweetener also resulted in a change in taste. The new flavor is described as gentler and less aggressive, with lighter carbonation. The caffeine-free version, in particular, was found to be sweeter and more flavorful than the regular version. The wild cherry flavor was a unanimous favorite, with the milder sweetness of sucralose complementing the cherry flavor without becoming cloying.
The decision to switch from aspartame to sucralose in Diet Pepsi was met with some criticism. Some people reported that sucralose gives them headaches. There were also concerns about the use of artificial sweeteners in general, with some consumers expressing a preference for natural alternatives such as honey, stevia, or agave nectar. However, these alternatives may not be suitable for diet drinks, and stevia, in particular, has an aftertaste that would need to be adjusted for.
Despite the criticism, the move to replace aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi was significant. It reflected a shift in consumer preferences and a growing demand for alternatives to aspartame, even in the face of scientific evidence supporting its safety. This decision by a major beverage company like PepsiCo had the potential to spur other food and beverage companies to follow suit and abandon aspartame in their products.
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Sucralose is also used in Diet Gummi Bears
Sucralose is a popular sugar alternative that is 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is a chlorinated derivative of sucrose and is heat stable. It is commonly used in sugar-free or diet confectionery products, including gummy candies.
In 2020, PepsiCo introduced a new version of Diet Pepsi, replacing aspartame with sucralose. The change in sweetener resulted in a gentler and less aggressive flavour, with lighter carbonation. The new formula received positive reviews, particularly for the wild cherry flavour, which benefited from the milder sweetness of sucralose.
Sucralose is also used in the production of sugar-free gummy bears, which are marketed as a low-carb, zero-sugar snack option. Homemade recipes for sugar-free gummy bears often utilise liquid water enhancers sweetened with sucralose, such as Orange Crush, to achieve a desirable flavour.
The use of sucralose in diet gummy bears caters to health-conscious consumers and those with dietary restrictions, providing a sweet taste without the calories and carbohydrates of traditional gummy bears. The sweetener also impacts the texture, mouthfeel, and overall quality of the gummy candies, making it a popular choice for manufacturers and consumers alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Aspartame attracted negative health perceptions, and consumers began to ask for a great-tasting cola without aspartame. While studies show aspartame is safe, PepsiCo decided to replace it with sucralose, which has not had as much bad press.
The new version has a gentler and less aggressive flavour, and the carbonation feels lighter.
The three new flavours are wild cherry, caffeine-free, and regular.
