Coke is now adding fibre to drinks to try and convince people to buy soda again
Crafting a healthier version of Coke could be key to saving Coca-Cola’s soda business
By Kate Taylor
Coca-Cola Plus rolled out in Japan in February. The company reportedly spent more than a decade researching and developing the drink, which is sugar-free, calorie-free, and contains five grams of dietary fibre in each bottle.
“We’re looking to add functional beverages,” CEO John Quincy said on a call with media on Tuesday. The company is rolling out Coca-Cola Plus and Canada Dry Plus as part of a “fast-growing segment where ingredients are added to beverages to address specific dietary needs.”
The company didn’t reveal plans to sell Coca-Cola Plus in the United States anytime soon.
The beverage giant is desperately looking to grow sparkling drink sales as soda consumption slumps, and executives are hoping that healthier reformulated versions of Coca-Cola could do the trick.
“Consumers, even the same person... want less sugar at one point, more caffeine, less caffeine [at other times,]” Quincy said. Coca-Cola, he said, “can actually have multiple objectives in the same reformulation. You can... improve the taste, and reduce the added sugar, and add a new fruit juice or some other ingredients.”