14 DAY TRIAL // Soft drinks makers have been under constant fire in recent years because of the many things that go into the making of said beverages, therefore a change was to be expected. While Coca Cola announced it would put a calorie count on all labels by next year, PepsiCo is also moving towards making its products healthier, by means of a new campaign called Performance with Purpose, as Food Business Review informs.
The changes the company has in mind don’t concern only the Pepsi soft drink, but other beverages as well, together with snacks. The campaign aims to set new goals by adding nutrients and reducing fats and sugar in both drinks and snacks. Some of these changes will be complete by 2020, while others will be noticeable five years from now, the company announced the other day, as per the aforementioned publication.
“PepsiCo is committing to achieve nutrition goals such as: increasing the whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy in its product portfolio, and reducing the average sodium per serving in key global food brands in key markets by 25% by 2015. In addition, it is also aiming to reduce the average saturated fat per serving in key global food brands in key markets by 15% by 2020, and to reduce the average added sugar per serving in key global beverage brands in key markets by 25% by 2020,” Food Business Review writes of the particulars of the measures proposed.
According to a statement from the company, working to have healthier products is for the benefit of both PepsiCo and the consumer. “We believe that a healthier future for all people and our planet means a more successful future for PepsiCo. These commitments are shared by all of our businesses and reflect our focus on profitable, long-term growth and will guide us as we continue to build a portfolio of enjoyable and wholesome foods and beverages for consumers around the world,” Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, says, as cited by the aforementioned publication.
The announcement comes on the heels of concerned groups putting pressure on authorities to have the soda tax passed. Recent research, for instance, has shown that, if soft drinks were more expensive (by means of adding the so-called soda tax to the regular price), people would lose on average 5 pounds a year, because they would buy less of it.