Purchase-headquartered PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) has announced it has reformulated the ingredients for the canned and bottled versions of its classic Pepsi soft drink in the U.K. and Ireland and will now offer a beverage with 57% less sugar.
According to a statement from PepsiCo UK & Ireland, the updated soft drink will now have 4.55 grams of sugar per 100ml, with sweetening deriving from a blend of acesulfame potassium and sucralose with 56% fewer calories from added sugars. The change will only take place with the classic Pepsi beverage and will not go into effect for Diet Pepsi or Pepsi MAX; Pepsi sold in out-of-home locations will retain the original formula with 10.65 grams of sugar per 100ml.
“These efforts form part of pep+, our transformation plan to drive positive action for people and the planet,” said the company. “As part of this plan, we are making changes to improve the nutritional profile of our snacks and beverages, building on nearly two decades of work prioritizing low or no-sugar drinks in the UK and Ireland. Today, over 90% of the colas we sell in the UK and Ireland are sugar-free versions.”
