Drinks giant PepsiCo is to slash the amount of sugar in its soft drinks in response to concern about their contribution to the obesity epidemic.
At least two thirds of its drink brands — which include Pepsi, Tropicana, Lipton and 7Up — will have their added sugar content reduced to 100 calories or fewer in a standard 12 ounce can.
However, the move will not come into force until 2025. Sales of standard carbonated drinks have been falling, particularly in the huge US market, because of the health fears.
A “sugar tax” on fizzy drinks is set to come into force in the UK from 2018 as a central part of the Government’s childhood obesity strategy.
PepsiCo also pledged that at least three quarters of the foods it sells — including Walkers crisps and Doritos tortilla chips — will not exceed 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories by 2025, and will limit salt content.
