Diet Pepsi
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
| File:DietPepsi2007.jpg | |
| Type | Diet Cola |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PepsiCo, Inc. |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Introduced | 1964 |
| Variants | Diet Pepsi Lime Twist, Diet Pepsi Lemon Twist, Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi |
| Related products | Diet Coke, Pepsi ONE, Pepsi Max |
| Website | www |
Template:Infobox nutrition facts Diet Pepsi is a low-calorie carbonated cola. It was introduced in 1964 as a variant of Pepsi-Cola with no sugar. Its current formula in the United States contains only the artificial sweetener aspartame, but the current Canadian formulation contains both aspartame (124mg/355ml) and acesulfame potassium (32mg/355ml)[citation needed]. Pepsi does not list on its United States labeling the exact amount of aspartame/Nutrasweet present.
In some countries, Diet Pepsi is known as Pepsi Light. This is not to be confused with an earlier U.S. product of the same name which was essentially 1970s Diet Pepsi with lemon flavoring.
Although Diet Pepsi contains caffeine, another version is available without caffeine. Additional variations of Diet Pepsi have been introduced over the years, wherein other flavors (such as wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime) have been added to the cola; their availability and brand identification vary by country.
Diet Pepsi's current slogan is "Light.Crisp.Refreshing."
Test Marketing
Diet Pepsi was first introduced as Patio Diet Cola in 1963. After the drink received positive reviews, it was re-introduced as Diet Pepsi in 1964. [1]
Marketing
In the United States Diet Pepsi is marketed as calorie-free, as FDA guidelines allow products with less than five calories per serving to be labeled as containing zero calories [2].
All forms of Diet Pepsi have been included in all of the Pepsi Stuff marketing programs in which consumers collect Pepsi Points to redeem for free merchandise.
PepsiCo also markets low-calorie colas known as Pepsi Max and Pepsi ONE.
Diet Pepsi in popular culture
In 1985, immediately following Super Bowl XIX, the game's respective quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Dan Marino, meet in a hallway of what appears to be a football stadium. Montana of the winning team, buys Marino a Diet Pepsi, and Marino promises to buy the drink the next year[citation needed].
In the United States a Diet Pepsi commercial features a Diet Pepsi Machine (simply called Machine) being drafted into the NFL by the 3-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The machine cannot be tackled because of its size compared to the human players, therefore leading to many touchdown catches as a wide receiver. In a recent commercial, Machine now plays for the New Orleans Saints, competing with running back Reggie Bush. Other commercials feature Diet Pepsi (the can) as an entertainer, represented by "agent" Jay Mohr, in a music video produced by Diddy ("Brown and Bubbly"), and an action film featuring Jackie Chan (Diet Pepsi is replaced by a "stunt double", a rival Diet Coke can, which is squashed by the villains)[citation needed]. The brown and bubbly campain backfired due to it's being related to poop. Diet Pepsi (the can) has also been portrayed as a great poker player winning hand after hand against Poker Champs Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Scotty Nguyen.
A futuristic diet Pepsi bottle can be seen in the background of the Cafe '80s in Back to the Future Part II.
Health concerns
Diet Pepsi contains the artificial sweetener aspartame, which has been linked to cancer[1] in laboratory rats. Aspartame has also been shown to cause brain tumors, brain lesions, and lymphoma[2]. One of the chemicals produced by aspartame after ingestion is methanol, which can be unhealthy under certain conditions.
However, there are considerable arguments against the factuality and administration of proper testing conditions for the experiments that have concluded health risks. As of 2007, there is no clear cut conclusion on the dangers of aspartame exposure.
Ingredients
- Carbonated water
- Caramel Color
- Aspartame
- Phosphoric acid
- Potassium benzoate (preserves freshness)
- Caffeine
- Citric acid
- Natural flavors