JOIN USIn a bid to attract health-conscious consumer, soft drinks major PepsiCo is planning to reduce calories in its drinks. Its offerings will carry less than 100 calories for every 355 ml of drink, which is the global standard, in the coming days, a top company official said.
"By 2025, our commitment is that at least two-thirds of PepsiCo's global beverage portfolio will contain 100 calories or less from added sugars per 355ml/12 oz serving," Vipul Prakash, Senior Vice President (Beverages) at PepsiCo India, told DH, adding that the goal in India is to achieve the same by 2021.
"This means that if you typically see a 250 ml, which is the serve size in India, two-thirds of our products will be less than 70 calories," Prakash said, adding, "Today, if we consider the same parameters with which we want to reach the 2/3 commitment, presently, we are at 30% of our protfolio in India, and we want to reach 67%."
The healthy beverage strategy follows PepsiCo's global 'Performance with Purpose' direction, which was announced last year.
Explaining how PepsiCo plans to realise its resolve, Prakash said, "It's a three-pronged route: By reducing sugar in existing or core products, introduction of lower/zero calorie beverages, and scaling up and expanding our alternate beverage portfolio."
Beverage-makers across the board are looking the healthy way. A Nielsen report states, "Over the past two years, the soft drink industry in India has seen a value growth of 11% CAGR and a volume growth of 5% CAGR... Over the years, the soft drinks category has also been affected by health concerns and pressure from government policies," highlighting continuous and aggressive focus on innovations as a growth impetus.
In that tone, over the last couple of years, PepsiCo India has launched a series of healthier products such as Quaker Dairy, 7UP Revive, Tropicana Essentials, and Pepsi Black. Now, banking on its tried and trusted Rs 1,000-crore bottled water brand Aquafina, it has launched the 'Vitamin Splash' range - available in Kiwi Lime and Raspberry Mint flavours.