It's green so it must be good for you

Pepsi Next truck and trailer, West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Pepsi Next trailer, West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

Pepsi Next was launched in Canada in 2014. The company made a big deal out of the fact that it does not contain any artificial sweeteners. And the green-coloured vehicles seem designed to reinforce the natural appeal.

But even with 30% less sugar, and no artificial sweeteners, Pepsi Next is still a sugary, carbonated beverage. The question that remains is whether consumers will come to like the taste of  stevia. And if the bulk of consumers can be convinced that stevia is better for them than aspartame then the move will pay off.

Despite the fact that Pepsi is dropping aspartame from the ingredients in the US version of Diet Pepsi, it will remain in the Canadian formulation. Negative consumer reaction to aspartame has been growing for years with fears over the product's safety. Despite FDA and Health Canada approval, and over 100 studies that appear to reinforce the safety of the additive, many consumers remain unconvinced.

It will be interesting to see if the backlash against aspartame continues and other beverage firms, such as Coca-Cola, also abandon the chemical.