Dr Pepper Gambles on Mid-Calorie Sodas

The company will start testing 60-calorie versions of Canada Dry, Dr Pepper and 7Up later this year.

February 14, 2014

NEW YORK CITY – With more Americans drinking less soda, both regular and diet, more soft drink companies are experimenting with natural sweeteners, the Associated Press reports. Dr Pepper Snapple Group is the latest to announce it will begin testing mid-calorie versions of Canada Dry, Dr Pepper and 7Up. The 60-calorie cans will have only sugar and stevia, instead of artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup.

Three years ago, Dr Pepper launched its Dr Pepper Ten version, which was followed by 7Up Ten and Sunkist Ten. The company said it would continue to market those products this year. Dr Pepper will work with several national retailers as part of its mid-calorie pilot program.

With diet soda, long the only bright spot in soda consumption, in decline, the major beverage companies, including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, have been investigating natural sweeteners and other “real” ingredients. Part of the problem has been the consumer blowback against artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. Despite entities such as the European Union declaring the artificial ingredient “safe” for consumption, many people are staying away from products containing aspartame.

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