Madeleine Hull
There has been speculation about PepsiCo discontinuing Diet Pepsi, with some sources suggesting that the company is pushing retailers to carry Pepsi Zero Sugar instead. However, it is important to note that Diet Pepsi has not been discontinued as of the latest information available. While there have been formula changes and variations introduced over the years, with the company even bringing back the old formula sweetened with aspartame due to customer demand, there is no indication that Diet Pepsi will be discontinued.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discontinuation | Diet Pepsi has not been discontinued |
| Reasons for rumours | Push for Pepsi Zero Sugar, sales in decline, reformulation, aspartame removal |
| Sales | In 2010, Diet Pepsi had a 5.3% share of carbonated soft drink sales in the US |
| Competition | Diet Coke |
| Ingredients | Vary by country, typically include carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, aspartame, preservatives, caffeine, citric acid, flavourings |
| Flavours | Wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, lime |
| Caffeine-free | Available in Australia as Pepsi Light Caffeine Free |
| Packaging | Plastic bottles, cans, glass bottles, soda fountains |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi is not discontinued, but Pepsi is pushing Pepsi Zero Sugar
Diet Pepsi is not being discontinued, but Pepsi is pushing Pepsi Zero Sugar. The company has been encouraging retailers and large accounts to stock Pepsi Zero Sugar on their fountains, and in some cases, retailers are being told they can't have Diet Pepsi on the fountain unless they also get Pepsi Zero Sugar. This has led to some speculation that Diet Pepsi is being discontinued, but this is not the case.
Pepsi's focus on Pepsi Zero Sugar is part of a strategy to provide customers with more options when it comes to diet colas. In addition to Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar, Pepsi also produces Pepsi Max, a low-calorie cola that is marketed as having zero calories due to FDA guidelines. However, it's important to note that the availability and brand identification of these products can vary by country.
The push for Pepsi Zero Sugar may be related to the decline in sales of diet soda in recent years. Data from Nielsen shows that sales of diet soda have been falling, with a 5.1% decline in the year ending in April. This includes a 10.6% decline in volume sales of Diet Pepsi in the first quarter, almost double that of Diet Coke's 5.7% decline.
To address this decline, Pepsi reformulated Diet Pepsi in 2015, replacing the aspartame sweetener with sucralose and acesulfame K. However, this change did not reverse the decline in sales. In response to customer feedback, Pepsi brought back the classic Diet Pepsi formula sweetened with aspartame in 2016, now known as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener" or "The One In The Blue Can".
While Diet Pepsi is not being discontinued, the company's focus on Pepsi Zero Sugar and the introduction of new sweetener options suggest that Pepsi is experimenting with different strategies to revive interest in its diet cola products and adapt to changing consumer behaviors.
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Sales of Diet Pepsi are in decline
According to data from Nielsen, sales of diet soda fell by 5.1% in the year ending in April, with volume sales of Diet Pepsi falling by 10.6% in the first quarter. This decline is attributed in part to some consumers' aversion to aspartame, which was removed from the Diet Pepsi formula in 2015. The company's decision to bring back the aspartame-sweetened version of Diet Pepsi suggests that they are struggling to figure out how to revive interest in their diet colas.
In addition to the decline in sales of Diet Pepsi, PepsiCo has also faced challenges with changing consumer behaviour and a slowdown in the US market. In its fourth-quarter earnings report, the company revised its guidance from a 10% increase in organic revenue to a 4% increase. Despite these challenges, PepsiCo remains optimistic about the market, citing low unemployment and the expectation that wages will increase faster than inflation.
To adapt to changing consumer preferences, PepsiCo has made several changes to its product lineup. This includes the introduction of Pepsi Zero Sugar, which the company has been pushing retailers to carry. In some cases, retailers have been told they cannot have Diet Pepsi on their fountains unless they also offer Pepsi Zero Sugar. This has led to speculation that Diet Pepsi will eventually be discontinued, as retailers are pressured to switch to the zero-sugar option.
While sales of Diet Pepsi may be in decline, the product continues to have a worldwide presence as a low- or no-calorie beverage. As of 2020, Diet Pepsi was distributed in plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles, as well as through soda fountains in various countries. The brand's logo and packaging have also undergone multiple changes over the years, with the most recent redesign taking place in 2008.
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Diet Pepsi has undergone multiple rebrands
Another significant rebrand took place in 2013 when Diet Pepsi changed its sweetener from aspartame to sucralose. This change sparked a mixed response from consumers, with some long-time Diet Pepsi drinkers expressing their preference for the original formula. As a result, in 2016, PepsiCo reintroduced the aspartame-sweetened version, branding it as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener" or "The One In The Blue Can". The company also retained the reformulated Diet Pepsi sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame K, offering consumers multiple options to cater to varying taste preferences.
Over the years, Diet Pepsi has introduced various flavour variations, including wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime. The brand has also launched a caffeine-free version, known as "Pepsi Light Caffeine Free" in Australia, featuring a gold label and unique ingredient composition. These flavour innovations and adaptations to consumer preferences demonstrate PepsiCo's willingness to experiment and adapt to the evolving tastes and demands of its customers.
In addition to flavour variations, Diet Pepsi has undergone packaging redesigns to stay visually appealing and relevant. The logo and packaging designs have changed multiple times since its inception, reflecting the brand's efforts to stay fresh and appealing to consumers. These rebrands are essential in the highly competitive soft drink market, where capturing consumers' attention and keeping up with current trends are crucial for success.
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Diet Pepsi's ingredients vary by country
As of February 2025, there are no indications that Diet Pepsi is being discontinued. In fact, a source from February 2024 mentions that Pepsi is pushing all retailers to have Pepsi Zero, which might eventually lead to Diet Pepsi being discontinued. However, this has not been confirmed by PepsiCo.
Diet Pepsi, introduced in 1964, is a no-calorie carbonated cola soft drink produced by PepsiCo. The ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary in some cases by the country of origin. For example, in Australia, the caffeine-free version of Diet Pepsi is known as Pepsi Light Caffeine Free and has a gold label. Its ingredients are listed as carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, sodium benzoate, acesulfame potassium, flavour (natural), and citric acid.
In the United States, Diet Pepsi is marketed as having zero calories, as FDA guidelines categorize products with fewer than five calories per serving to be labelled as containing "zero calories". In December 2012, an AP article reported that Diet Pepsi would change its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding of the soft drink set for January 2013. However, in 2015, the new formula received backlash on social media, prompting Pepsi to revive its aspartame formulation, as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend", for the US market in September 2016.
Over the years, additional variations of Diet Pepsi have been introduced, with flavours such as wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime added to the cola. The logo and packaging of Diet Pepsi have also changed multiple times since its original iteration. For instance, in October 2008, PepsiCo announced a redesign of its logo and rebranding of many products, including Diet Pepsi, which adopted a "smile" logo.
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Diet Pepsi was the first product to list a freshness date on each can and bottle
Diet Pepsi has been a popular drink worldwide since its introduction in 1964. Over the years, PepsiCo has made various changes to the drink's formula, packaging, and distribution to keep up with consumer trends and preferences. One notable innovation was in 1994 when Diet Pepsi became the first product in the food and beverage industry to list a "freshness date" on each individual can and bottle.
This groundbreaking move by PepsiCo set a new standard for transparency and quality assurance in the packaged food and beverage industry. By providing a freshness date, consumers could be confident that they were consuming the product at its optimal condition, ensuring the best taste and quality. This practice not only enhanced consumer trust in the Diet Pepsi brand but also influenced the entire industry to follow suit, making it a widespread norm today.
The decision to include freshness dates on Diet Pepsi products was likely driven by the company's commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction. As a beverage that relies on a consistent and fresh taste experience, ensuring that consumers always enjoy their drink at its peak flavor and fizziness is crucial. This feature became an essential differentiator for Diet Pepsi, especially when competing with rival brands such as Diet Coke.
The inclusion of freshness dates also aligned with PepsiCo's broader strategy of staying responsive to consumer needs and trends. As consumers became increasingly conscious of product freshness and ingredient quality, providing this information directly on the packaging empowered consumers to make informed choices. This proactive approach to consumer trends helped PepsiCo stay competitive in a dynamic market where consumer preferences and expectations were constantly evolving.
In addition to being a pioneer in freshness dating, Diet Pepsi has also undergone several other significant changes throughout its history. For example, in 2012, the company announced a switch to the sweetener sucralose, and in 2015, they introduced a reformulated version with sucralose and acesulfame K. While these changes aimed to meet evolving consumer preferences, they also sparked some controversy, with some loyal customers expressing strong preferences for the classic formula.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Diet Pepsi is not being discontinued. However, Pepsi is pushing retailers to sell Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Pepsi wants customers to have the option to choose between Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar.
The ingredients of Diet Pepsi vary depending on the country of origin. In the US, the ingredients are carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium, and phenylketonurics.
As of 2010, Diet Pepsi had a 5.3% market share of all carbonated soft drink sales in the United States and was ranked as the 7th soft drink brand by volume.
