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As a way to capitalize on the low-carb diets, PepsiCo plans
to introduce their new soda called Pepsi Edge, which will
have 50 percent less the sugar and carbohydrates than its
regular cola.
Market research has found that ever since approximately 3.6
percent of the U.S. population has been following low-carb
diets, restaurants have been coming up with selections that
are compatible with their diets. This is a major development
for the U.S. beverage industry and acts as a response to the
consumer concerns of calories and carbohydrates.
Pepsi Edge will consist of a combination of Splenda, an artificial
sweetener, and high fructose corn syrup for sweeteners. It
will target those consumers who are counting calories but
don’t want to switch to diet beverages. The key to success
involves cutting back 50 percent of the calories without sacrificing
the taste.
Coca-Cola Co. also plans to introduce their own mid-calorie
soda called Coke Ultra. Pepsi’s move to make a mid-calorie
drink mirrored the beer industry, where Anheuser-Busch Cos.
Inc. has found its low-carbohydrate answer with the winning
Michelob Ultra.
Reuters
March 9, 2004
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