Pepsi is to roll out a prebiotic cola in the US.
In what it called “the first significant innovation in the traditional cola category in 20 years”, the soft drinks giant is to introduce a low-sugar, low calorie cola with 3g of prebiotic fibre per can.
Each can contains 5g of cane sugar, 30 calories and no artificial sweeteners.
The NPD would deliver “the classic crisp, refreshing taste of Pepsi – with the added functional ingredient of three grams of prebiotic fibre”, said Pepsi.
It will launch in classic and cherry vanilla flavours online this autumn, ahead of a retail debut in 2026.
“From the iconic blue can, to the consumer-preferred Pepsi Zero Sugar, our portfolio has always adapted to the needs and flavour preferences of the consumer,” said Ram Krishnan, CEO PepsiCo Beverages US. “Pepsi Prebiotic Cola represents the next leap forward in giving consumers choice, optionality and functional ingredients in their cola experience, without sacrificing the iconic Pepsi taste we’re known for delivering.”
The extension comes after PepsiCo entered the on-trend gut health soda category with the $1.95bn acquisition of Poppi in March.
Digestive health soft drinks have grown exponentially in the US in recent years. The category was worth $197m in 2020 and had grown to a value of $440m by 2024, according to Euromonitor International data.
In February, Coca-Cola announced the launch of its own prebiotic soda brand – called Simply Pop – to compete with incumbent brands such as Poppi and Olipop.
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