- Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) says it has no plans to change the sweetener for Diet Coke away from aspartame.
- PepsiCo and other beverage sellers have shifted some focus to the use of natural sweeteners and increased their investment in vegetable and protein drinks.
- Sales of Diet Coke fell 6% Y/Y in Q1 to trail the pace seen by the Sprite, Coke, and Fanta brands.
- During the earning call last week, Coca-Cola execs said finding the right path to grow Diet Coke sales was still a "work in progress" amid shifting consumer tastes.
- Some beverage industry analysts have noted millennials tend to hop around new upstart brands (energy/protein/fruit) in the same way they prefer sampling craft beers instead of locking in on cases of Bud Light and Budweiser.
- Coca-Cola earnings call transcript
- Related: PepsiCo rethinks sweeteners (April 24)