PepsiCo India targets 90 to 100 per cent zero sugar and mid calorie drinks

MUMBAI: PepsiCo India is looking to take the fizz out of sugar without taking the fun out of its drinks. The company aims to progressively increase the share of zero-sugar and mid-calorie products in its beverage portfolio to 90 to 100 per cent over time, as consumers become more conscious of what goes into their food and drinks.

More than 70 per cent of its beverage portfolio already comprises zero-sugar or mid-calorie options, including Pepsi Black, 7UP Zero Sugar, Gatorade Zero and Nimbooz. The company is pursuing the shift through product reformulation and a wider range of low- and no-sugar variants, while seeking to retain the taste associated with its brands.

The strategy extends beyond beverages to snacks, where PepsiCo India is focusing on positive nutrition, diverse ingredients and alternative preparation methods. In 2026, the company restaged its Quaker brand to give greater prominence to its protein, fibre and wholegrain credentials.

Its other offerings include Red Rock Deli baked variants, which contain 40 per cent less fat, and Kurkure Jowar Puffs, a millet-based product. These additions aim to broaden the choices available across different tastes and consumption occasions, as food companies respond to changing preferences.

PepsiCo India has also said its entire convenient foods portfolio carries a “No Artificial Flavours or Colours” claim. The portfolio includes Lay’s, Kurkure, Doritos, Cheetos, Uncle Chipps, Quaker and Red Rock Deli.

Alongside reformulation and new products, the company is emphasising nutritional transparency. Its packaging provides information on energy, serving sizes and the contribution of key nutrients to recommended dietary allowances, helping consumers assess what they are buying.

Yashika Singh, chief corporate affairs officer and sustainability head at PepsiCo India and South Asia, said the company was expanding its offerings in response to evolving consumer preferences.

“From lower- and zero-sugar beverages to snacks with diverse ingredients such as wholegrains and millets, we are expanding options for consumers who are increasingly mindful of their choices, while keeping taste and enjoyment at the heart of the experience,” Singh said.

The company’s targets point to a broader portfolio shift across drinks and snacks. The challenge will be to make these alternatives appealing enough for consumers to choose them regularly, rather than simply adding more options to the shelf.