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Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding

Zero Sugar sodas now make up 52% of category sales growth, as major brands reformulate and market to health-conscious Generation Z consumers.

  • At the Super Bowl next month, Pepsi will feature Pepsi Zero Sugar in a 30-second spot costing more than $8 million and revive taste tests after wins in 34 cities last year, Ram Krishnan says.
  • Younger consumers are driving the shift by shunning diet-labeled sodas while embracing Zero Sugar branding, a trend fueled by social media stigma and reformulated sweeteners for better taste.
  • Circana data shows Zero Sugar lines accounted for 52% of the category's sales growth last year, both Pepsi and Coca-Cola sold more than a year earlier, and Keurig Dr Pepper found flavored Zero Sugar sodas outselling colas as it expanded.
  • Amid internal concern that changes might alienate customers, Keurig Dr Pepper replaced Diet Sunkist, A&W, and Canada Dry with Zero Sugar options, while Elliott Investment Management pushed PepsiCo toward health-focused products.
  • With soda volumes down 27%, PepsiCo leans into variety and limited-edition flavors to attract Gen Z drinkers who frequently try new beverages.
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Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding

By Kristina Peterson, Bloomberg News The first Pepsi Challenge tour in 50 years didn’t feature regular or even Diet Pepsi. Instead, the blind taste-test showdown last year pitted Pepsi Zero Sugar against Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Related Articles The secret to perfect tortiglioni with peppers and eggplant from a 1929 Italian cookbook Gretchen’s table: Warm winter’s chill with a hot bowl of this tangy and traditional Me…

·Denver, United States
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The Detroit News broke the news in Detroit, United States on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
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