Diet Pepsi quietly changes sweetener to mix of 2 artificial sweeteners
Change intended to make drink last longer
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Posted: 12/17/2012
Last Updated:
157 days ago
NEW YORK - If that can of Diet Pepsi tastes sweeter than normal, there's a reason.
PepsiCo Inc. is quietly changing the sweeteners in the drink, with the goal of helping the soda maintain its potency longer.
Cans of Diet Pepsi around the country now list a mix of two artificial sweeteners, a pairing that is commonly found in newer diet sodas.
Previously, Diet Pepsi used only aspartame, which is sensitive to heat and breaks down more easily.
This summer, PepsiCo had declined to say whether it would go ahead with such a change after reports surfaced that it was testing the new sweeteners.
The switch is only intended to help prevent the taste from degrading over time, but companies are sensitive to public perceptions that they might be tinkering with major brands.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.