Share

Pepsi pledges to produce healthier products

accreditation
Pepsi transport – iStock
Pepsi transport – iStock

PepsiCo has set new targets for more healthful food and beverages and announced pledges to reduce product packaging and limit water use.

Fewer calories

With US soda giants under pressure to produce more healthy beverages, Pepsi pledged that by 2025, at least two-thirds of the 12 ounce beverages it sells will contain 100 or fewer calories. At least three-quarters of foods sold will not exceed 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories.

Read: Sugar-sweetened beverages

Pepsi's "2025 Sustainability Agenda" also included policies to limit water consumption, incorporate more recyclable packaging and purchase crops from sustainable farms.

Besides soda, Pepsi's brands include Gatorade sports drinks, the Frito-Lay snack brand and Tropicana orange juice.

Sustainable development

A study released last week by academics at the Boston University School of Public Health faulted Pepsi and rival Coca-Cola for fighting added taxes on high-sugar sodas at the same time they provide funding to health organisations. The study questioned whether the soda giants' funding for those groups was driven by marketing rather than public interest.

Read: Gradually reducing sugar in sodas could lower diabetes rates

PepsiCo chief executive Indra Nooyi said the company's 2025 Sustainability Agenda aims to be consistent with United Nations sustainable development goals and the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

"To succeed in today's volatile and changing world, corporations must do three things exceedingly well: focus on delivering strong financial performance, do it in a way that is sustainable over time and be responsive to the needs of society," Nooyi said.

Read more:

Soda tax won't curb obesity

Sugary drinks up gout risk in women

Sugary drinks linked to higher stroke risk

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE