Stevia in Pepsi: A Look Back at a Discontinued Product
For consumers exploring low-calorie and naturally sweetened beverage options, the question of whether Pepsi contains stevia is a common one. The answer, however, is a bit more complex than a simple 'yes' or 'no.' The association between Pepsi and stevia is primarily linked to a single, now-discontinued product: Pepsi True.
Pepsi True was a mid-calorie cola released in 2014 to compete with Coca-Cola's own stevia-sweetened product, Coca-Cola Life. Differentiated by its distinctive green can, Pepsi True contained a blend of real sugar and stevia leaf extract, which offered 30% fewer calories than a regular Pepsi. The product's run was relatively short, and it was officially discontinued sometime before April 2020, as the mid-calorie soda category failed to gain significant traction with consumers. This highlights a key challenge for beverage manufacturers: balancing consumer desire for natural ingredients with the familiar taste profile of a full-sugar cola, as stevia can sometimes produce a bitter aftertaste.
What Sweetens Modern Pepsi Products?
If stevia isn't in most of today's Pepsi, what is? The ingredients vary significantly depending on the specific product. For example, the popular sugar-free variants use entirely different sweetening agents.
- Pepsi Zero Sugar: This product is sweetened with a combination of artificial sweeteners, namely aspartame and acesulfame potassium. It is designed to provide the maximum taste of regular Pepsi without any calories or sugar.
- Diet Pepsi: Traditionally sweetened with aspartame, Diet Pepsi has also seen recipe changes over the years. Some versions have used other sweeteners like sucralose in the past, but the current formula relies on artificial ingredients for its calorie-free taste.
- Regular Pepsi: The classic cola is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, providing the full-sugar flavor that has been a staple for decades.
A New Chapter for Natural Sweeteners at PepsiCo
While Pepsi True is a thing of the past, PepsiCo has not abandoned its exploration of naturally-derived sweeteners. In fact, a new product announced in July 2025 shows that stevia is making a comeback in a new format. The company is set to introduce a Pepsi Prebiotic Cola in the fall, which is sweetened with a combination of cane sugar and a proprietary blend of stevia. This launch targets health-conscious consumers and represents a new strategy for incorporating stevia into the company's beverage portfolio, focusing on specific functional benefits rather than a broader mid-calorie offering.
This move indicates that PepsiCo continues to innovate with its sweetener systems. It also signals that the company is responding to evolving consumer preferences for beverages that are not only lower in calories but also contain more natural or functional ingredients. This latest development is distinct from the discontinued Pepsi True because it combines stevia with other functional ingredients like prebiotic fiber, which might appeal to a different segment of the market.
Sweetener System Comparison: Pepsi Variants
To provide clarity, here is a breakdown of the primary sweeteners used in various Pepsi products:
| Product | Primary Sweeteners | Calories (per can) | Status | Uses Stevia? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepsi True | Sugar & Stevia | Mid-calorie (60) | Discontinued | Yes (Past) |
| Pepsi Zero Sugar | Aspartame & Acesulfame Potassium | 0 | Current | No |
| Diet Pepsi | Aspartame | 0 | Current | No |
| Pepsi (Regular) | High-Fructose Corn Syrup | Full-sugar | Current | No |
| Pepsi Prebiotic Cola | Sugar & Stevia | Low-calorie (30) | Announced (Fall 2025) | Yes (Future) |
Conclusion: The Evolving Role of Stevia in Pepsi's Strategy
In summary, the question of whether Pepsi has stevia is met with a nuanced answer: it has in the past, and it will again in the future, but not in its current mainstream sugar-free or regular cola offerings. The most significant historical example, Pepsi True, was an attempt to capture the mid-calorie market with a mix of sugar and stevia, but it was ultimately discontinued. Today, those looking for a no-sugar cola from Pepsi will find that products like Pepsi Zero Sugar are sweetened with artificial ingredients like aspartame. However, the beverage giant is not done with natural sweeteners. The announced launch of the Pepsi Prebiotic Cola in late 2025 demonstrates a strategic move to reincorporate stevia, this time as part of a functional beverage targeting specific consumer trends. For those seeking a stevia-sweetened Pepsi, patience may be required, or seeking out these more specialized, upcoming product releases. For more information on PepsiCo's overall product facts, you can visit their corporate website.
The PepsiCo Sweetener Portfolio Timeline
- 2008: PepsiCo partners to jointly own and market PureVia™, its brand of Rebiana, a high-purity stevia extract.
- 2014: Pepsi True, a mid-calorie cola sweetened with sugar and stevia, is launched in the US.
- ~2020: Pepsi True is discontinued, though the exact date is uncertain.
- 2023: Pepsi Zero Sugar is reformulated in the US, but continues to use artificial sweeteners.
- Fall 2025: The company plans to release a Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, sweetened with sugar and stevia.
