Dante Carrillo
Diet Pepsi is a low- or no-calorie beverage that is distributed worldwide in plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles, and soda fountains. The ingredients comprising its makeup vary depending on the country of origin. In the US, its ingredients include carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, and acesulfame potassium. In Canada, the main difference is the addition of sodium benzoate and dimethylpolysiloxane. In the UK, the ingredients are carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sweeteners (aspartame and acesulfame K), acidity regulator (sodium citrate), preservative (sodium benzoate), citric acid, and a source of phenylalanine. The sweetener used in Diet Pepsi has changed over time, with the initial formulation using saccharin, which was replaced by aspartame in 1983. In 2012, Pepsi announced that they would be changing the sweetener to sucralose, however, due to customer feedback, they reverted to using aspartame in 2018.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Low- or no-calorie beverage |
| Packaging | Plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles, soda fountains |
| Logo | Blue and red Pepsi Globe |
| Logo (redesigned) | Series of "smiles" |
| Logo (current) | Original "smile" logo |
| Main sweetener | Aspartame |
| Previous sweeteners | Saccharin, sucralose |
| Ingredients (US) | Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium, phenylketonurics |
| Ingredients (Canada) | Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, sodium benzoate, caffeine, flavor, acesulfame potassium, citric acid, dimethylpolysiloxane |
| Ingredients (UK) | Carbonated water, caramel color, flavorings (including caffeine), phosphoric acid, sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame K), acidity regulator (sodium citrate), preservative (sodium benzoate), citric acid |
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What You'll Learn
Aspartame as a sweetener
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in Diet Pepsi. It replaced the initial formulation sweetener, saccharin, in 1983 due to concerns over the safety of saccharin that emerged in the 1970s.
Aspartame is a low- or no-calorie sweetener, which has been deemed safe for human consumption by regulatory agencies in their respective countries, including the U.S. However, it has been the subject of some controversy, with critics expressing concerns over potential health risks associated with its consumption. In 1996, a 60 Minutes report alleged that aspartame might be linked to the development of brain tumors in humans.
Despite this, peer-reviewed comprehensive review articles and independent reviews by governmental regulatory bodies have analyzed the published research on the safety of aspartame and described it as safe for consumption at current levels.
The use of aspartame as a sweetener in Diet Pepsi has varied over time. In December 2012, PepsiCo announced that it would be changing the sweetener in Diet Pepsi to sucralose, which was then replaced by aspartame in September 2016. This formulation was sold as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" and was released market-wide on February 25, 2018.
The ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary slightly depending on the country of origin. In the US, aspartame is listed as one of the ingredients, along with carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, and acesulfame potassium. In Canada, the UK, and other countries, the ingredients list also includes sodium benzoate, flavorings, and dimethylpolysiloxane.
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Saccharin as the initial sweetener
Saccharin, an artificial sweetener, was initially used to sweeten Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Light, and Diet Pepsi Free. However, in 1984, PepsiCo Inc. decided to switch to aspartame, also known as NutraSweet, as the sole sweetener for these drinks. This decision was driven by taste preferences, as many consumers found that saccharin left a metallic aftertaste, while others complained that aspartame was too sweet.
Saccharin is significantly cheaper than aspartame, costing only $4 per pound compared to aspartame's price of $90 per pound. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of both sweeteners. Saccharin was nearly banned by the FDA in 1977 due to health risks, and while aspartame has been approved by the FDA, it has also faced scrutiny for its potential negative health effects, including complaints about headaches, stomach upset, and mood changes.
Despite the higher cost of aspartame, PepsiCo decided not to increase the prices of its diet drinks. Roger Enrico, president of Pepsi-Cola USA, stated that the company believed saccharin was safe and that the switch to aspartame was made to improve the taste of their products. He also mentioned that consumer tests showed a preference for Diet Pepsi sweetened entirely with aspartame over the previous blend.
The decision to switch sweeteners had potential implications for the soft drink market. With Diet Pepsi now using 100% aspartame, concerns were raised about the supply tightness of aspartame, which could put competitors like Coca-Cola and Seven-Up at a disadvantage if they also decided to switch from saccharin. Additionally, Pepsi's move to aspartame was expected to boost the market share of diet soft drinks, which already accounted for about 20% of the $25 billion soft drink industry at the time.
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Sucralose as a sweetener
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is used in many food and beverage products to enhance their taste. It is a common alternative to sugar, often used in products marketed as "diet", "low-calorie", or "sugar-free". Sucralose is derived from sugar but has a more intense sweetness, and it does not contain any calories. This makes it a popular choice for people who are conscious of their sugar intake or are looking for ways to manage their weight.
In December 2012, PepsiCo announced that Diet Pepsi would be changing its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding in January 2013. This decision was likely influenced by the desire to offer a low-calorie option and tap into the growing market of health-conscious consumers. The use of sucralose allowed Diet Pepsi to maintain its sweet taste while eliminating the calories associated with sugar.
However, the switch to sucralose received mixed reactions from consumers. Some people expressed their distaste for the new formula, especially those who were loyal drinkers of Diet Pepsi when it was sweetened with aspartame. This prompted PepsiCo to revive the aspartame formulation and release it alongside the new formula in the US market in 2016. The aspartame-sweetened version was labelled "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend".
Ultimately, PepsiCo decided to revert to using aspartame as the main sweetener in Diet Pepsi. In February 2018, the new formulation with aspartame was released market-wide. This change demonstrates the importance of consumer preferences and the impact of feedback on product formulation. It also highlights the ongoing quest for the ideal sweetener that provides the desired taste without the health concerns associated with some artificial sweeteners.
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Rebranding of Diet Pepsi
Diet Pepsi has undergone several rebrands over the years, with changes to both its formula and its packaging.
Formula Changes
The original Diet Pepsi formula was sweetened with the artificial sweetener saccharin. However, in the 1970s, concerns emerged about the use of saccharin, prompting Pepsi to switch to a new sweetener, aspartame, in 1983. This sweetener was also the subject of controversy due to alleged links to brain tumors in humans. In 2012, Pepsi announced that it would be changing the sweetener in Diet Pepsi to sucralose, and this new formula was launched in January 2013. However, this change was also met with backlash from consumers, and in 2016, Pepsi revived the aspartame formulation as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" for the US market. The company later announced plans to revert to using aspartame in all Diet Pepsi drinks, and this new formulation was released market-wide on February 25, 2018.
Packaging Changes
PepsiCo has also made several changes to the Diet Pepsi logo and packaging over the years. In October 2008, the company announced a redesign of its logo, with the blue and red Pepsi Globe logo being replaced by a series of "smiles." The Diet Pepsi logo consisted of a small "smile," while the Classic Sweetener Blend variety used the original "smile" logo along with a light blue label background. In mid-2017, the Classic Sweetener Blend dropped the old wordmark and adopted a modernized wordmark.
International Variations
It is worth noting that the ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary slightly depending on the country of origin. For example, in the US, Diet Pepsi contains aspartame, while in Canada, the ingredient listing includes both aspartame and acesulfame potassium. In the UK, the drink is sweetened with a combination of aspartame and acesulfame K.
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Safety concerns of aspartame
Aspartame is a non-sugar sweetener that is significantly sweeter than sugar but contributes very few calories. It is one of the most common artificial sweeteners in use today and is approved for use in food as a sweetener in many countries.
However, there have been safety concerns regarding the consumption of aspartame, particularly its possible link to cancer. Aspartame has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) due to limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and animals, as well as limited mechanistic evidence on how it may cause cancer. Specifically, there is some evidence linking aspartame to hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer. The IARC has called for more research to refine the understanding of the potential carcinogenic hazards of aspartame consumption.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has also evaluated the safety of aspartame and concluded that the evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing. They determined that dietary exposure to aspartame does not pose a health concern and reaffirmed that it is safe for human consumption within the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0-40 mg/kg body weight. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also conducted a risk assessment on aspartame in 2013 and concluded that it is safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure.
Regulatory and scientific authorities, such as Health Canada and the European Food Safety Authority, have evaluated aspartame and consider it safe at current permitted use levels. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that aspartame is safe for the general population when used under approved conditions and has set the ADI for aspartame at 50 mg/kg/day. The FDA continues to monitor the latest scientific research on sweeteners and stays abreast of published literature and consumer exposure.
While the scientific understanding of aspartame is still evolving, the available scientific evidence suggests that aspartame is safe for human consumption within the established ADI. However, further research is needed to fully understand its potential health effects, especially its possible link to cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
The current sweetener in Diet Pepsi is aspartame. Aspartame has been the primary sweetener in Diet Pepsi since 1983, except for a brief period between 2012 and 2018 when it was changed to sucralose.
No, when Diet Pepsi was first launched, it was sweetened with the artificial sweetener saccharin. However, concerns over the safety of saccharin led to a shift to aspartame in 1983.
In the 1970s, concerns emerged about the safety of saccharin, prompting Pepsi to switch to an alternative sweetener. Aspartame was chosen as the new sweetener and was marketed as the brand NutraSweet.
Yes, in 1996, a 60 Minutes report raised concerns about a possible link between aspartame and brain tumors in humans. However, regulatory bodies have reviewed the research on the safety of aspartame and deemed it safe for consumption at current levels.
