Leena Watts
In 2015, Pepsi released an Aspartame-Free version of Diet Pepsi. However, this move was met with criticism from some consumers, prompting the company to reintroduce the aspartame formulation in September 2016 as the Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend. This version was sold alongside the new formula in the US market. The Classic Sweetener Blend is a diet cola variation of Pepsi with zero calories, originally created in the US in 1963 under the name Patio and rebranded as Diet Pepsi the following year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 0 |
| Package color | Silver or light blue |
| Package size | 12-pack, 2-liter, or 20 oz |
| Year of creation | 1963 |
| Original name | Patio |
| Year of rebranding | 1964 |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend was reintroduced in 2016
In 2015, Pepsi customers took to Facebook and Twitter to express their distaste for the Aspartame-Free version of Diet Pepsi. In response to this feedback, Pepsi reintroduced the aspartame formulation as the "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in the United States in September 2016. The new version was sold alongside the Aspartame-Free formula.
The Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend was initially launched under the name "Patio" in 1963 in the United States. The drink was rebranded as Diet Pepsi in 1964 and became the first diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the country. Over the years, Diet Pepsi has faced competition from rival brands such as Tab and Diet Coke.
The Classic Sweetener Blend was reintroduced in light blue packaging, which some customers mistook for the original silver packaging of the Aspartame-Free version. This may have contributed to reports of difficulty in locating the product in stores. Customers reported that the product was available at dollar stores and major grocery stores, but it was not consistently found in all locations or package sizes.
In December 2017, the label for Diet Pepsi stated, "Now Aspartame Free" or "Aspartame Free" and listed sucralose as the sweetener. By February 2018, PepsiCo had transitioned back to the original formula, discontinuing the Aspartame-Free version.
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The drink was originally created in 1963
In the 1960s and 1970s, Diet Pepsi primarily competed with another diet cola named Tab. However, this changed in 1982 when The Coca-Cola Company introduced Diet Coke, which has since been the principal competing product. Diet Pepsi expanded its distribution to the UK in 1983, where it is also referred to as Diet Pepsi. It has since expanded to other countries, although in some, it is known as Pepsi Light.
In 2015, some consumers expressed their distaste for the Aspartame-Free version of Diet Pepsi on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. In response to this feedback, Pepsi reintroduced the aspartame formulation as the "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in September 2016. This classic version was sold alongside the new formula.
However, by December 2017, the label for Diet Pepsi stated "Now Aspartame Free" or "Aspartame Free" and listed sucralose as the sweetener. This change prompted a search for the classic version, with some consumers expressing their preference for the original formula. As of September 2016, the Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend had not been widely available, and consumers were unsure where to purchase it.
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It was the first diet cola to be distributed nationally in the US
Diet Pepsi was introduced in 1964 as a no-calorie carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo. It was first test-marketed in 1963 under the name Patio Diet Cola and was rebranded as Diet Pepsi the following year. It became the first diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the United States.
The launch of Diet Pepsi in the mid-1960s was well-timed, as it coincided with a growing awareness of the health impacts of high sugar intake and a craze for skinny bodies and calorie-counting. It was the first mass-distributed diet soda in the United States, breaking new ground in the modern soft drink market. The product developers at PepsiCo formulated a diet cola recipe that derived its sweetness from the artificial sweetener saccharin, which was the choice ingredient of diet soda creators at the time.
The original packaging of Diet Pepsi was in glass bottles, and it was also available in cans. Over the years, the logo and packaging of Diet Pepsi have changed multiple times. By the 2000s, the Classic Sweetener Blend variety was distinguished by its use of the 2003-2006 wordmark, the "smile" logo, and a light blue label. In 2017, the packaging was updated to use the modernized wordmark, and the light blue label was replaced with a silver one.
In addition to the original Diet Pepsi, the company has introduced various flavour variations over the years, including wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime. A caffeine-free version is also available in certain markets. The availability and brand identification of Diet Pepsi flavour variants vary by country.
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The 2018 formula switched sweeteners from sucralose to aspartame
PepsiCo's decision to switch sweeteners in its Diet Pepsi Classic formula from sucralose to aspartame in 2018 was likely influenced by consumer preferences and the company's strategy to revitalise sales. The reintroduction of aspartame-sweetened Diet Pepsi, known as the Classic Sweetener Blend, marked a shift from the previous year's reformulation.
In 2017, PepsiCo removed aspartame from Diet Pepsi due to concerns about potential health risks associated with the sweetener. The company replaced aspartame with sucralose and acesulfame potassium (ace-K) in the 2017 reformulation. However, it appears that the switch to sucralose did not resonate well with all consumers, and some preferred the taste of aspartame-sweetened Diet Pepsi.
By 2018, PepsiCo recognised that consumer preferences varied, and some customers specifically sought out aspartame-sweetened beverages. The company introduced the Classic Sweetener Blend to cater to these consumers, offering them the familiar taste they preferred. This move aligned with PepsiCo's strategy to provide diverse options within its diet cola range, allowing consumers to choose between different sweeteners and flavours.
The 2018 formula switch from sucralose to aspartame in the Classic Sweetener Blend was part of PepsiCo's broader effort to revitalise sales and appeal to a wider range of consumers. The company aimed to serve older consumers who preferred the original formula with aspartame, younger consumers who wanted to avoid it, and those seeking bolder diet colas with unique attributes. By offering both aspartame-sweetened and aspartame-free options, PepsiCo demonstrated its commitment to providing choices that meet differing needs and taste preferences in the highly competitive soft drink market.
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The drink is known as Pepsi Light in some countries
Diet Pepsi is a low- or no-calorie beverage that is represented worldwide. However, the ingredients that comprise its makeup do vary depending on the country of origin. The drink is known as "Pepsi Light" in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Argentina, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil.
The history of Diet Pepsi's sweetener blend has been a tumultuous one. The initial formulation of Diet Pepsi was sweetened with the artificial sweetener saccharin. However, in the 1970s, concerns emerged about the use of saccharin, prompting a shift to an alternative sweetener, aspartame, in 1983. Despite being deemed safe for human consumption by regulatory agencies, aspartame has been the subject of controversy, with critics expressing concerns about potential health risks associated with its consumption.
In December 2012, it was reported that Diet Pepsi would change its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding in January 2013. This change did not sit well with all consumers, and in 2015, some people took to social media to express their dislike for the new formula. In response to this feedback, Pepsi reintroduced the aspartame formulation as the "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in September 2016. This classic version featured the light blue label and the 2000s Diet Pepsi logo.
The availability and brand identification of Diet Pepsi flavor variants vary by country. For example, in Australia, the caffeine-free version is known as "Pepsi Light Caffeine Free" and has a gold label. It is worth noting that the distribution of Diet Pepsi has expanded globally, and it has competed with other diet colas, such as Tab, in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the introduction of Diet Coke in 1982 by The Coca-Cola Company has since made it the principal competing product.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet Pepsi was originally created in the US under the name Patio in 1963. It was then re-branded as Diet Pepsi in 1964. In 2015, Pepsi released an Aspartame-Free version, which was met with backlash. As a result, Pepsi revived its aspartame formulation as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in September 2016.
The classic blend uses aspartame as a sweetener, whereas the new formula uses sucralose.
Unfortunately, I cannot find the full list of ingredients. However, it is known that the sweetener used is aspartame.
It seems that this product is quite hard to come by. Some people have reported finding it in certain grocery stores, dollar generals, and major retailers in Central NJ. It is also suggested that you try calling your local Pepsi distributor or importing it from Canada.
The classic blend comes in light blue packaging, as opposed to the new formula's silver packaging.
