PepsiCo launches Prebiotic Cola as functional beverage trend gains momentum 

USA – PepsiCo has unveiled a new prebiotic cola aimed at meeting the growing demand for functional beverages among health-focused consumers.  

The product, named Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, will be available in two flavors: Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla. 

Each 12-ounce can contains 3 grams of prebiotic fiber, 5 grams of cane sugar, and 30 calories, with no artificial sweeteners. The beverage giant describes the product as a blend of iconic cola taste and functional benefits. 

“Pepsi Prebiotic Cola represents the next leap forward in giving consumers choice, optionality and functional ingredients in their cola experience, without sacrificing the iconic Pepsi taste we’re known for delivering,” said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America. 

The launch follows PepsiCo’s recent US$1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi, a leading prebiotic soda brand, further reinforcing the company’s entry into the functional beverage space. 

The acquisition provided PepsiCo with a foothold in the category, which continues to grow despite declining overall soda consumption in the United States. 

Previously, PepsiCo had considered introducing a functional soda under its Soulboost brand but ultimately abandoned those plans. Now, with Poppi under its umbrella, the company is seeking to broaden its health-focused offerings. 

Pepsi Prebiotic Cola is also notable for its use of cane sugar, diverging from the traditional high-fructose corn syrup used in classic Pepsi in the U.S.  

The use of alternative sweeteners has recently become a topic of national debate. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has criticized both artificial sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. 

Recently, Coca-Cola introduced its Simply Pop prebiotic soda line earlier this year, launching it in select regions ahead of PepsiCo’s Poppi acquisition announcement. 

PepsiCo’s move comes as the company attempts to offset declining beverage volumes in its North American market. In the second quarter of 2025, beverage volume in the region declined by 2%, though Pepsi Zero Sugar saw continued success. 

For the same quarter ending June 14, PepsiCo reported total revenue of US$22.73 billion, a 1% increase compared to the previous year. The result beat analysts’ expectations of US$22.27 billion and reversed a 1.8% decline in the prior quarter. 

Despite the revenue uptick, net income dropped to US$1.26 billion from US$3.08 billion a year earlier. The decline was primarily due to a US$1.86 billion impairment charge related to the company’s Rockstar energy drink brand and Be & Cheery, a Chinese snack label. 

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