Cola Wars or Sweetener Preferences

Headline on CNN.com this morning: “Coca-Cola, Pepsi in Calorie Battle; Arch rivals Plan Salvos of New Diet Colas, Pepsi ONE and Coca-Cola Zero.”

Welcome new Coke Zero, a zero-calorie Coke cola officially launching this June, and a reformulated Pepsi One (1-calorie cola) to be available sometime this spring. Coke Zero will be sweetened with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame-potassium. Pepsi One will be sweetened with sucralose. But don’t be confused fellow diet drinking aficionados. As of this summer, the Coke Co. will have Diet Coke (as well as it’s other Diet Coke flavors – lime, vanilla, etc.) sweetened with aspartame, Coke Zero sweetened with aspartame and acesulfame-K, as well as a Diet Coke with Splenda version – all of which have negligible or no calories. Then there’s also the “mid-calorie” C2 (70 cals/12 oz. can) sweetened with a blend of aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame-K. And Pepsi-Co will have its flagship Diet Pepsi sweetened with aspartame and Pepsi One sweetened with Splenda – both with one or less calories. In addition they’ll have Pepsi Edge, their version of a mid-calorie cola (75 cals/12 oz can), sweetened with Splenda.

I know there is extreme competition between Pepsi and Coke, and that there has been for quite some time. But children, children… there’s enough room for everyone! Naysayers are busy clucking about how crowded the diet drink shelves will soon be. I on the other hand say variety is the spice of life. Everyone has different taste preferences. Not to mention, we have so many options out there for people who drink regular drinks, but not nearly as many low-calorie drinks. For me, it’s preference and convenience. But what about diabetics, or people who really need to watch their blood sugar? I think they deserve options and choices too.

I do however think it will be very interesting to see how each of the new products performs in the cutthroat world of diet drinkers’ brand loyalty. In games of winners and losers, battles can get ugly, but at least the spectators will have plenty of refreshment.