PepsiCo has announced the transformation of its popular US lemon lime soda, Sierra Mist, into a beverage with entirely natural ingredients, Sierra Mist Natural. PepsiCo has removed preservatives and artificial flavours from the drink, sweetening it with sugar (as opposed to the widely-used high fructose corn syrup or HCFS, an almost ubiquitous sweetener in the US and subject of a number of health-related inquiries). “New Sierra Mist Natural has been stripped of everything artificial and is naturally... ...Read more »

PepsiCo is to create a nutrition business unit to develop new products in a series of food categories. The US food and drink giant said yesterday (7 October) that it has set up a “global nutrition group” to “deliver breakthrough innovation” in fruit and vegetables, grains, dairy and functional foods. “The creation of this global nutrition group is part of our long-term strategy to grow our nutrition businesses from about $10bn in revenues today to $30bn by 2020,”... ...Read more »

PepsiCo last night announced its inclusion in the 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (DJSI World and DJSI North America) and its position as sustainability leader in the beverage sector.PepsiCo has been named as a member of North America Index five times and the World Index four times in recognition of the company’s economic, environmental and social performance. Inclusion is based on a wide range of criteria including corporate governance,... ...Read more »

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division will begin rolling out fully-electric delivery trucks in New York. The company plans to deploy 21 electric trucks this year and projects it will roll out 155 more trucks in 2011, making it the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in North America. The trucks have been designed by Smith Electric Vehicles to generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge. “Frito-Lay has implemented bold goals for... ...Read more »

US food and drinks giant PepsiCo said its latest investment in Vietnam will take its planned expenditure in the country to US$400 million (A$445.8 million) between 2008 and 2013. PepsiCo yesterday (16 August) committed US$250 million (A$278.6 million) to the country over the next three years in a bid to increase its manufacturing capacity, introduce new products and “strengthen” its existing brands. Speaking at a gathering in Ho Chi Minh City, Saad Abdul-Latif, CEO of PepsiCo Asia, Middle... ...Read more »

PepsiCo stands to benefit from “significant” investment in functional and healthy products, amid tightening restrictions on the marketing of ‘junk foods’ to children, the head of health policy at the company said yesterday. Derek Yach, senior vice president of global health policy for PepsiCo, said the US group had set itself nutrition targets to meet the increasing global focus on reducing childhood obesity. “You can argue that every time there is a restriction on marketing... ...Read more »

Dairy giant Fonterra has appointed Alex Stevens as managing director of its Australian brands division.Stevens was previously managing director of Carlton and United Breweries at drinks giant Fosters Group. Before that role, he was CEO of PepsiCo’s operations in Australia and New Zealand. Stevens will manage Fonterra’s portfolio of dairy brands, which include Mainland, Bega and Perfect Italiano cheese, Ski and Nestle Diet yoghurt and Western Star and Mainland butter. He will report to... ...Read more »

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America business unit has launched two Lightly Salted varieties of chips for the US market. Fritos Lightly Salted corn chips and Ruffles Lightly Salted potato chips join Lay’s Lightly Salted potato chips, containing around 50% less sodium per one ounce serving than their original counterparts, the firm said yesterday. “The number one request from consumers is for lower sodium versions of snacks,” said Ann Mukherjee, chief marketing officer, Frito-Lay... ...Read more »

US soft drink and snacks maker PepsiCo is to invest US$2.5 billion (A$3 billion) in its food and beverage businesses in China over the next three years. The investment, announced on Friday, is in addition to a US$1 billion ($A 1.2 billion) investment pledged in 2008, which will be completed this year. The money will be spent on new manufacturing facilities, the company’s research and development operations, expanded agricultural development and brand building. “This investment reflects... ...Read more »

A clutch of the largest US food makers, including General Mills, Nestle and PepsiCo, have pledged to cut 1.5 trillion of calories by the end of 2015. The companies announced the plans on Monday as part of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation coalition, which is headed by Kellogg president and CEO David Mackay. “Through this effort, the companies that make up the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will provide consumers with additional healthier food options that help them achieve and... ...Read more »