Brenda Khan
Diet Pepsi is a no-calorie carbonated soft drink produced by PepsiCo. It was introduced in 1964 as a sugar-free variant of Pepsi. The drink was first test-marketed in 1963 under the name Patio Diet Cola and was rebranded and launched nationally as Diet Pepsi the following year. Diet Pepsi is distributed in plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles, as well as via soda fountains. The ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary depending on the country of origin. For example, in the US, its ingredients include carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, and caffeine, while in Canada, the ingredients list includes carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, and sodium benzoate. The availability and brand identification of Diet Pepsi flavour variants also vary by country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of introduction | 1964 |
| Packaging | Glass bottles, cans, plastic bottles, soda fountains |
| Current name | PEPSI DIET |
| Previous names | Patio Diet Cola, Diet Pepsi |
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo |
| Type of drink | Diet carbonated cola soft drink |
| Calories | Zero |
| Ingredients | Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium, phenylketonurics |
| Main market | United States |
| Main competitor | Diet Coke |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi's global distribution
Diet Pepsi is a no-calorie carbonated soft drink produced by PepsiCo. It was introduced in 1964 as a sugar-free variant of Pepsi and became the first-ever diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the United States.
The United States is the largest single market for Diet Pepsi. In the US, its ingredients are listed as "carbonated water, caramel colour, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate (preserves freshness), caffeine, citric acid, natural flavour, acesulfame potassium; phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine".
In the early days, Diet Pepsi was test-marketed in the US under the name "Patio" or "Patio Diet Cola". The drink was then launched nationally as Diet Pepsi in 1964, becoming the first mass-distributed diet soda in the modern US.
Diet Pepsi was originally packaged in glass bottles and was also made available in cans. Today, it is distributed in plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles, as well as via soda fountains in restaurants and convenience stores.
In 1983, Diet Pepsi expanded its distribution to the United Kingdom, where it is also referred to as "Pepsi Diet". The drink has since become available on a global scale, although the name varies in certain countries. In Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Argentina, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil, the beverage is known as "Pepsi Light".
The availability and brand identification of Diet Pepsi flavour variants vary by country. PepsiCo also produces other low-calorie colas, such as Pepsi Max and Pepsi Zero Sugar, which are available in select markets.
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The drink's sweetener controversies
Diet Pepsi, a no-calorie carbonated cola soft drink, was introduced in 1964 as a variant of Pepsi with no sugar. It was the first diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the United States.
The initial formulation of Diet Pepsi was sweetened with the artificial sweetener saccharin. However, concerns over saccharin emerged in the 1970s, prompting a shift to an alternative sweetener, aspartame (marketed as the brand NutraSweet), in 1983.
Aspartame has been at the centre of several controversies. In 1996, a 60 Minutes report alleged that aspartame might be linked to the development of brain tumours in humans. Critics have expressed concerns about numerous potential health risks associated with its consumption. However, regulatory agencies in various countries, including the US, have deemed aspartame safe for human consumption at current levels.
In December 2012, it was reported that Diet Pepsi would change its sweetener to sucralose, a sweetener similar to Splenda and closer to sugar in origin than aspartame. This change was implemented in January 2013. However, in 2015, some consumers expressed their dislike for the new formula. In response, Pepsi reintroduced the aspartame formulation as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in September 2016, and it was sold alongside the new formula.
In 2020, PepsiCo announced that Diet Pepsi would once again change its sweetener, this time removing aspartame. This decision was based on consumer feedback, with the company stating that "diet cola drinkers in the U.S. told us they wanted aspartame-free Diet Pepsi". The new formulation, which uses a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium, was released market-wide on February 25, 2018.
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Diet Pepsi's packaging evolution
Diet Pepsi, currently stylised in all caps as PEPSI DIET, is a no-calorie carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo. It was introduced in 1964 as a sugar-free variant of Pepsi. When it was first introduced, Diet Pepsi was packaged in glass bottles and was also available in cans.
1964–1985: Glass bottles and cans
In the 1960s and 1970s, Diet Pepsi's competition consisted of Tab by the Coca-Cola Company and Diet Rite Cola by RC Cola. In 1982, Diet Coke was introduced, becoming Diet Pepsi's primary competition. In 1984, Diet Pepsi was reformulated with NutraSweet (aspartame) brand sweetener.
1986–1993: Return of the Pepsi globe
The 1986 label marked the return of the traditional Pepsi globe. This was the first time the Pepsi name appeared outside the globe. The "ONE CALORIE" caption was shifted upward, and the Diet Pepsi name was in Handel Gothic Bold.
1994–2008: Freshness dating
In 1994, Diet Pepsi became the first product to list a "freshness date" on each individual can and bottle. This practice soon became a widespread standard in the packaged food and beverage industry. In 1996, Pepsi established its presence on the internet with the Pepsi World website.
2008–2012: The "smile" logo
In October 2008, PepsiCo announced a redesign of its logo and the rebranding of many of its products, including Diet Pepsi. The brand's blue and red Pepsi Globe logo became a series of "smiles," with the central white band arcing at different angles depending on the product. In 2010, Diet Pepsi represented a 5.3% share of all carbonated soft drink sales in the United States.
2013–2018: Rebranding and retro labels
In 2012, Diet Pepsi changed its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding of the soft drink in January 2013. In 2016, an individual Diet Pepsi with aspartame, called the Classic Sweetener Blend, was released. Its label was similar to the current silver label, except it had a teal background and the typography from 2002. It was discontinued in late 2017. In 2018, Diet Pepsi introduced "retro labels" with a grey background and the 1986 can design.
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PepsiCo's rebranding
Initially, Diet Pepsi was packaged in glass bottles and cans, and in 1994, it became the first product to list a "freshness date" on each can and bottle, setting a new standard in the industry. Over the years, Diet Pepsi has been distributed in various formats, including plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles, and soda fountains in retail outlets.
In October 2008, PepsiCo announced a significant rebranding effort, redesigning its logo and packaging for Diet Pepsi and other products. The iconic Pepsi Globe logo was transformed into a series of "smiles," with the central white band arcing at different angles depending on the product. This change reflected the brand's desire to showcase its flexibility and adaptability to different settings and consumer needs.
In 2023, PepsiCo unveiled another bold rebranding, introducing a unified wordmark and logomark that combined the word "Pepsi" with the Pepsi Globe. This new design featured a brighter colour palette, including the colours black and "electric blue," giving it a contemporary edge. The black colour, in particular, signified the brand's commitment to reduced sugar content, aligning with the Pepsi Zero Sugar line.
The latest rebranding also included a signature pulse, a dynamic design element that could be adapted for various marketing channels, from T-shirts to mobile apps. This pulse represented the "ripple, pop, and fizz" of Pepsi-Cola, creating a visual identity that was modern, original, and flexible for the digital world.
PepsiCo's history of rebranding demonstrates its commitment to staying relevant, connecting with its consumers, and adapting to changing market demands and dietary preferences. By embracing innovation and staying true to its brand identity, PepsiCo has solidified its place in the highly competitive soft drink industry.
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Diet Pepsi's competition
Diet Pepsi's main competitor is Diet Coke, which was introduced in 1982 and quickly became the primary competing product to Diet Pepsi. In the 1960s and 1970s, Diet Pepsi's main competition was Tab by The Coca-Cola Company, which has since been discontinued. Diet Coke has a higher market share than Diet Pepsi, with 9.9% compared to Diet Pepsi's 5.3% in 2010.
In terms of product offerings, Diet Pepsi has introduced various flavours over the years, such as wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime. A caffeine-free version is also available in certain markets, such as Australia, where it is known as Pepsi Light Caffeine Free. Diet Pepsi is also marketed as having zero calories in the United States, as per FDA guidelines.
PepsiCo has also introduced other low-calorie colas, such as Pepsi Max and Pepsi Zero Sugar, which compete in the same category as Diet Pepsi. These products may vary depending on the country, with different names and formulations used in certain markets. For example, in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Argentina, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and Brazil, Diet Pepsi is known as Pepsi Light.
In response to competition, Diet Pepsi has also undergone rebranding and formula changes. In 2012, it was announced that Diet Pepsi would change its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding in 2013. However, due to consumer feedback, PepsiCo reverted to using aspartame as the sweetener in 2018.
Overall, Diet Pepsi faces strong competition from Diet Coke and other low-calorie cola products, with market shares and consumer preferences shifting over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet Pepsi is produced by PepsiCo and distributed worldwide.
Diet Pepsi was first introduced in 1964 as a no-sugar variant of Pepsi.
The ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary depending on the country of origin. In the US, its ingredients are listed as "carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate (preserves freshness), caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium; phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine".
Diet Pepsi is a no-calorie or low-calorie version of Pepsi, with no sugar.
As of 2010, Diet Pepsi represented a 5.3% share of all carbonated soft drink sales in the United States, ranking it as the 7th soft drink brand by volume.
