This archive report was first published on 14 July 2021.
July 14, 2021
Coca-Cola is revamping its Coke Zero Sugar recipe in a bid to make it more appealing to consumers. The beverage giant has announced that the updated version will have a taste closer to its iconic Coca-Cola.
According to CEO James Quincey, the improved recipe brings the taste of Coke Zero Sugar even closer to that of the iconic Coca-Cola. This change was influenced by consumer insight and the company's focus on constant improvement.
The new version of Coke Zero Sugar will replace the current one and will be rolled out in the United States this month. It will also hit Canada in September. Coca-Cola has already updated the product in some international markets, where some customers have expressed disappointment with the change.
Diehard fans may notice a big difference between the old and new versions, but to some, the two US versions tasted similar, with the new iteration slightly sweeter and fuller than the old. The company is confident that people will love the new product, citing positive results from pre-testing with current and non-consumers.
Coca-Cola first launched Coke Zero in 2005 and rebranded it as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in 2017. The change was initially met with criticism from some drinkers, but it seems customers have eventually embraced the beverage. In 2020, the product grew 4% by volume, helping lead to growth in the Coke brand overall.
