PepsiCo launching prebiotic versions of its namesake soda

Dive Brief:

• PepsiCo is launching prebiotic versions of its namesake soda as the beverage giant aims to attract more consumers back to its Pepsi brand.
• The sodas, which come in traditional Cola and Cherry Vanilla, will launch online this fall and reach store shelves in early 2026. Each can has 3 grams of prebiotic fiber, 5 grams of cane sugar, 30 calories and no artificial sweeteners.
• The launch of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola comes two months after the beverage giant closed its purchase of prebiotic soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola contains one gram more prebiotic fiber than Poppi.

Dive Insight:

When PepsiCo announced the acquisition of Poppi in March, it cited the fast-growing brand’s “loyal fan base” as one of the reasons for the purchase. PepsiCo now sees an opportunity to expand the reach of its 132-year-old cola brand by extending into the better-for-you soda space. 

“From the iconic blue can, to the consumer-preferred Pepsi Zero Sugar, our portfolio has always adapted to the needs and flavor preferences of the consumer,” Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., said in a statement. “Pepsi Prebiotic Cola represents the next leap forward in giving consumers choice, optionality and functional ingredients in their cola experience.”

Consumers increasingly are looking to cut back on sugar and up their intake of healthier attributes, such as prebiotics. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola addresses these consumer needs, while providing a way for the company to get younger consumers who purchase brands, such as Poppi, for their gut health a reason to turn to its signature soda. 

PepsiCo initially planned to launch a better-for-you soda under the brand name Soulboost, but the product was nixed in development amid indications that it wouldn’t succeed.

Earlier this year, rival Coca-Cola debuted its own prebiotic soda under its 24-year-old juice brand Simply.

The push into better-for-you sodas comes as the White House has urged food and beverage giants to improve the health content of their products as part of its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has singled out soda as a major contributor to the poor health of many Americans and has encouraged states to restrict low-income consumers from purchasing soda with food assistance benefits. 

As consumers drink less traditional cola flavor, PepsiCo and other soda giants have to find a way to make their core beverages relevant for shoppers. During the past two years, the average number of times a consumer drinks the traditional cola flavor has dropped from 9.4 times a month to 7.7, Krishnan told CNN. Diet colas are declining even faster.

PepsiCo last week said beverage volumes in North America fell 2%. Pepsi Zero proved to be a source of strength, providing further evidence of consumer demand for no- or low-sugar offerings.