Pepsi Throwback Helps Consumers Get Back to the Sweet Basic

WASHINGTON, DC – The Sugar Association today applauded Pepsi-Cola for reintroducing Pepsi Throwback, which will be sweetened with all natural sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.

Pepsi is not the only beverage bottler making a return to sugar. Dr Pepper recently released Heritage Dr Pepper and Gatorade just made a similar announcement to move back to sugar. Snapple and Jones Soda have likewise moved away from corn syrup.

“Consumers are making a move back to sugar, and we’re thrilled that Pepsi is getting back to the basics,” said Andy Briscoe, CEO of the Sugar Association. “Pepsi Throwback gives shoppers another opportunity to chose natural sweeteners instead of manufactured ones.”

High fructose corn syrup, invented in 1957, was rapidly introduced into the U.S. soft drink market in the 1970s and 1980s. Sugar remained the beverage sweetener of choice in Europe, Mexico, and most areas outside the United States.

Now, America appears to be shifting back again. Shoppers are already seeing Pepsi Throwback on grocery store shelves as part of Pepsi’s second eight-week trial. A similar 8-week trial was conducted in March of 2009.

“Hopefully, this reintroduction of Pepsi Throwback means that the first trial was a success,” Briscoe explained. “And hopefully, the second trial will be just as successful so sugar-sweetened Throwback will become a permanent product on grocery store shelves. When you think about it, sugar is the only sweetener that is all natural, only 15 calories, been safely used for over 2,000 years, and is a sweetener you can pronounce.”