New York: PepsiCo announced Monday it will launch a prebiotic cola under its flagship Pepsi brand, just four months after acquiring rising gut-health soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion.
The new Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, set to roll out online this fall and hit retail shelves next year, contains three grams of prebiotic fiber and five grams of cane sugar, a shift from the traditional high-fructose corn syrup formula used in classic Pepsi.
Pepsi’s move follows the broader beverage trend toward functional wellness, with rival Coca-Cola introducing its own Simply Pop prebiotic soda line earlier this year. Poppi and Olipop have led the prebiotic category’s growth, appealing to health-conscious consumers amid declining traditional soda sales.
Pepsi’s latest innovation comes as its North American beverage volume dropped 2% in Q2, though its Zero Sugar variant continued to perform well. The company had previously considered a wellness soda under its Soulboost brand before shelving the plan.
The prebiotic push also aligns with increasing political scrutiny on artificial sweeteners and corn syrup. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump have both recently advocated for cleaner ingredients, with Trump claiming Coca-Cola will revert to “real cane sugar” in its formula, a statement the company has not confirmed.
Pepsi’s new prebiotic line is expected to help the brand tap into a younger, label-conscious demographic and stay competitive as consumers shift toward gut-friendly, lower-sugar beverage alternatives.
