Pepsi: Striving to become healthier

Oh, the irony.

We can’t help but hear the bellows of health authorities that prompt the population to cut back on their sugar and salt intake. Particularly, the overconsumption of sugar has led to some states imposing a soda tax of up to 50% as a tactic to help fight against the devastating chronic diseases that have plagued millions of people worldwide.

I guess the unceasing brawls from health advisors, as well as the general population, have finally paved their way to big shot companies’ radar. Last month, PepsiCo shared their bold 2025 goals.

  • Reducing the sugar intake to equal or less than 100 calories per 12-oz soda can in two-thirds of their products
  • Limiting the total amount of saturated intake of their snacks to ≤ 1.1 grams of fat per 100 calories and ≤ 1.3 milligrams of sodium for every calorie.

“The company will continue to refine its food and beverage choices to meet changing consumer needs by reducing added sugars, saturated fat and sodium levels in its product portfolio,” says PepsiCo.

Source: NY Daily News

Before you sing praises to PepsiCo, you should know that adding less sugar and salt doesn’t make sodas and chips healthy choices. In other words, you still can’t just gulp down gallons of soda cans, and munch on limitless amount of chips. THEY ARE STILL JUNK FOODS. Moreover, PepsiCo is said to be still providing regular sweetened beverages in a smaller format, and pouring their money into their low and calorie-free products. To say that their sodas and chips are healthy is still very far-fetched, but at least they understand the concept of portion control and are offering more healthier-ish alternatives to consumers, in their own sneaky ways.

Moral of the story: Better than nothing initiative from PepsiCo, but they can definitely push themselves harder.

This story was reported by the New York Daily News.