FDBusiness.com

PepsiCo UK and Britvic plan to launch zero-sugar SoBe V Water in the UK later this month. The SoBe V Water innovation means PepsiCo and Britvic are the first soft drinks companies in the UK to launch a product containing naturally-sourced Stevia extract. The new SoBe V Water will replace the existing range.

Stevia has been used as a sweetener inSouth America for hundreds of years and contains glucose components that naturally give the plant’s intense sweetness. The reformulation of SoBe V Water will offer health-conscious consumers vitamin water with zero-sugar and meet growing demand for low-calorie refreshment.

“SoBe V Water with purified Stevia extract has been a great hit in the US and we’re excited to launch a version for the UK market and deliver a wider choice in healthier drinks for UK consumers. Stevia delivers a great naturally sweet taste without the calories of sugar,” points out Amanda Thomson, marketing director of PepsiCo UK.

Jon Evans, head of seed brands of Britvic Soft Drinks, comments: “We have accelerated the development of our Stevia product in order to be first to market in the UK because this is a major innovation for soft drinks and allows us to offer consumers great taste with no sugar.”

All six SoBe V Water variants with purified Stevia extract will be available from the end of April.