PepsiCo has launched a prebiotic cola in the US under its flagship Pepsi brand two months after acquiring Poppi for just under $2bn.
Announcing the move, PepsiCo said the launch of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola “marks the first significant innovation in the traditional cola category in 20 years”.
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The prebiotic soda delivers the “classic crisp, refreshing taste of Pepsi” with the “added functional ingredient of three grams of prebiotic fibre”, PepsiCo said in a statement.
The drink includes five grams of cane sugar, has 30 calories and contains no artificial sweeteners, PepsiCo said.
Available in 12 oz. single cans and eight packs of 12 oz. cans, the new drinks will be available online this autumn with a broader US retail roll-out earmarked for early next year.
Ram Krishnan, the CEO of PepsiCo’s US beverages business, said: “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.
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By GlobalData“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.”
Ivan Izus Torossian, consulting director at GlobalData, Just Drinks’ parent company, described the launch of the Pepsi-branded prebiotic soda as “big news but not because of the prebiotics”.
He added: “It’s the 90% sugar reduction down to just five grams, with no artificial sweeteners, compared to the 41g of sugar in a 12oz can of regular Pepsi.
“PepsiCo released similar products several years ago (Pepsi True and Next) that blended 15-30g of cane sugar with stevia and no artificial sweeteners.
“But the new prebiotic cola is even more aggressive, with just 5g of sugar. This sugar move is bold. The prebiotic part, however, will disappear as fast as it appeared.”
In March, PepsiCo announced a deal to buy Texas-based prebiotic soda brand Poppi. The deal was completed in May.
Poppi’s low-calorie, low-sugar sodas come in 15 flavours and are sold in retailers across the US including Kroger, Walmart, Costco, Target and Whole Foods Market. In 2024, the company generated annual sales of “north of $500m”, a Poppi spokesperson said at the time.
In February, PepsiCo rival Coca-Cola introduced its first prebiotic soda line, launching the Simply Pop brand in the US.
