The Launch and Formulation of Pepsi True
In an effort to appeal to health-conscious consumers and counteract declining soda sales, PepsiCo introduced Pepsi True in October 2014. The beverage was initially sold exclusively through Amazon, a unique launch strategy at the time for a major soda brand. The marketing emphasized its use of natural ingredients and its green packaging, which was a clear visual cue to differentiate it from regular Pepsi. The green cans and labels were a nod to the plant-derived stevia sweetener. This was PepsiCo's direct answer to rival Coca-Cola's mid-calorie, stevia-and-sugar-sweetened product, Coca-Cola Life, which was also launched around the same time.
Pepsi True's formulation was a significant departure from standard and diet sodas. Unlike Diet Pepsi, which uses artificial sweeteners like aspartame, Pepsi True combined real sugar with stevia leaf extract to achieve its sweetness. The result was a cola with fewer calories than regular Pepsi but without the artificial ingredients that some consumers were wary of. Specifically, a 7.5-ounce can of Pepsi True contained 60 calories and 30% less sugar than a regular Pepsi. This mid-calorie positioning was an attempt to capture a segment of the market that felt torn between the taste of a full-sugar soda and the zero-calorie nature (and sometimes off-putting taste) of diet sodas.
The Challenges of Stevia and Market Competition
Working with stevia is not without its challenges. The natural sweetener is known for having a slightly bitter or licorice-like aftertaste, which can be a hurdle for beverage manufacturers. PepsiCo spent three years perfecting the taste of Pepsi True to find the right balance of sugar and stevia to satisfy consumers. Despite their efforts, achieving a flavor profile that universally pleased consumers was difficult. The mixed-sweetener approach was a compromise, but it didn't fully cater to those seeking a truly calorie-free drink, nor did it offer the full-sugar taste that some prefer. This left the brand in a challenging middle ground.
In addition to taste, Pepsi True faced intense competition and a shifting market landscape. The "cola wars" between Pepsi and Coca-Cola continued into this new, naturally sweetened segment. The success of these products also depended heavily on consumer attitudes towards natural sweeteners versus artificial ones. While many consumers were actively moving away from traditional diet sodas due to concerns about artificial sweeteners, their acceptance of stevia-sweetened options wasn't guaranteed.
Discontinuation of Pepsi True and the Shift in PepsiCo's Strategy
Ultimately, Pepsi True was a short-lived venture. It was discontinued sometime before April 2020, likely due to low sales and a failure to meet PepsiCo's expectations. The product, which had initially been launched with a limited distribution strategy, never achieved the widespread popularity needed for it to be a sustainable product. The market's reception of mid-calorie sodas proved to be lukewarm, and many consumers seemed to prefer either the full-calorie original or the zero-calorie options, leaving the middle ground less populated.
Comparison of Pepsi True vs. Other Pepsi Products
| Feature | Pepsi True (Discontinued) | Regular Pepsi | Diet Pepsi (Aspartame-Free) | Pepsi Zero Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweeteners | Sugar and Stevia | High-Fructose Corn Syrup | Sucralose and Acesulfame Potassium | Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium |
| Calories | 60 calories per 7.5oz can | 100 calories per 7.5oz can | Zero | Zero |
| Natural Sweeteners | Yes (Stevia) | No | No | No |
| Artificial Sweeteners | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | No | Yes | No | No |
Following the discontinuation of Pepsi True, PepsiCo continued to experiment with new products to address evolving consumer tastes, though none have specifically used the Pepsi brand with stevia in the U.S. market since. In July 2025, Beverage-Digest reported on the planned launch of a "Pepsi Prebiotic Cola," sweetened with cane sugar and a proprietary blend of stevia, targeted at consumers seeking healthier options. This indicates that while the specific brand "Pepsi True" failed, the company remains interested in the potential of natural sweeteners like stevia in certain markets and new product categories.
The Evolution of PepsiCo's Sweetener Strategy
Pepsi True was a snapshot in time reflecting PepsiCo's response to market trends in the mid-2010s. The brand's history is filled with innovations and market adjustments based on consumer preferences and health trends. The mid-calorie soda market proved to be a difficult segment to crack for both Pepsi and Coca-Cola. Consumers remained largely divided between full-sugar satisfaction and calorie-free options, making the middle ground a tough sell. The bitter aftertaste of stevia, while improved, likely contributed to the lukewarm reception. The eventual discontinuation of Pepsi True demonstrates that even with natural ingredients, market success is not guaranteed.
In recent years, PepsiCo has broadened its portfolio to include a wider range of beverages outside of traditional soda, focusing on everything from enhanced waters to teas. This diversification strategy shows a company adapting to a changing beverage landscape where consumer interest is shifting beyond the classic cola. The re-emergence of stevia in a new product like the Pepsi Prebiotic Cola also shows a strategic, targeted approach rather than a broad, flagship-level replacement.
Conclusion Yes, Pepsi did make a soda with stevia, named Pepsi True, which was a mid-calorie cola sold for a limited time starting in 2014. It combined real sugar with stevia leaf extract and was created to appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for fewer calories without artificial sweeteners. Despite its innovative approach, Pepsi True was ultimately discontinued due to poor market performance. The product faced challenges with taste and a market that remained largely divided between full-sugar and zero-calorie options. However, the company's interest in stevia is not over, as shown by plans for a new stevia-sweetened prebiotic cola in some markets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pepsi and Stevia
What was the soda called that Pepsi made with stevia? The soda was called Pepsi True. It was a mid-calorie cola sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract.
Is Pepsi True still available today? No, Pepsi True was a discontinued product. It was launched in 2014 and was off the market by April 2020.
Why was Pepsi True discontinued? Pepsi True was likely discontinued due to low consumer demand and poor sales. The mid-calorie soda market proved challenging, and the taste profile was not a universal hit.
Does any current Pepsi soda use stevia? As of recent reports in 2025, a new "Pepsi Prebiotic Cola" is planned to be released, sweetened with cane sugar and a proprietary blend of stevia. However, mainline Pepsi products like Regular Pepsi or Diet Pepsi do not use stevia.
How was Pepsi True different from Diet Pepsi? Pepsi True was sweetened with a mix of sugar and natural stevia leaf extract, resulting in a mid-calorie drink. Diet Pepsi, in contrast, is a zero-calorie drink that uses artificial sweeteners and contains no sugar.
Did Coca-Cola also have a stevia-sweetened soda? Yes, Coca-Cola launched its own mid-calorie, stevia-and-sugar-sweetened product called Coca-Cola Life around the same time as Pepsi True.
Why did soda companies experiment with stevia? Companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola turned to stevia and other natural sweeteners to address consumer concerns about artificial ingredients and high-fructose corn syrup, hoping to attract health-conscious consumers.
