PepsiCo has announced plans to launch a new prebiotic cola under its flagship Pepsi brand, marking its first major innovation in the traditional cola category in two decades. The move comes on the heels of the company’s $1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi, a leading player in the fast-growing functional soda segment. The deal was completed in May this year.
New products
The new product, Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, will debut online this fall, with a broader retail rollout planned for early 2026. It will be available in 12 oz. single cans and 8-pack formats in two variants—Original Cola and Cherry Vanilla.
“From our iconic blue can to consumer-favourite Pepsi Zero Sugar, our portfolio has always evolved to meet changing tastes,” said Ram Krishnan, CEO, PepsiCo Beverages U.S. “Pepsi Prebiotic Cola is our next leap forward—bringing functional ingredients into the cola experience without compromising the bold, refreshing Pepsi flavour our fans expect. We’re excited for the world to try it!”
Three grams of prebiotic fibre
The cola contains three grams of prebiotic fibre, one gram more than Poppi’s sodas but significantly less than rival Olipop, which contains nine grams. Each can of Pepsi Prebiotic Cola includes five grams of cane sugar and 30 calories, with no artificial sweeteners.
The move signals PepsiCo’s push to tap into shifting consumer preferences in its home market. In the second quarter of 2025, PepsiCo’s North American beverage volumes declined 2% year-on-year, though its flagship cola brand saw some resilience, aided by the performance of Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Originally, the company had considered launching a functional soda under its Soulboost brand, but that plan was shelved prior to the Poppi acquisition. Pepsi’s shift also comes amid broader scrutiny over artificial sweeteners and corn syrup. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced opposition to such ingredients as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump recently claimed on social media that Coca-Cola will return to using real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed any such move. Rival Coca-Cola introduced its own prebiotic soda line, Simply Pop, earlier this year in select U.S. regions, and may share further updates during its upcoming earnings call.