(Associated Press via NBC News) — Pepsi is creating a new diet beverage for fans of aspartame less than a year after pulling the artificial sweetener as part of a marketing move over safety concerns.
The sweetener had been linked to cancer in lab mice and industry executives blamed the decline in sales on concerns people have about aspartame. The removal of the sweetener tested the theory that it was to blame for fleeing customers. But, the move seems to have been a misstep, with consumers dissatisfied over the change in flavor without the sweetener.
The company will start selling the new Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend this fall, which will contain aspartame in its formula. But, Diet Pepsi will continue to be sweetened without aspartame.
Meanwhile, Pepsi MAX will be re-introduced to U.S. consumers as Pepsi Zero Sugar and will still contain aspartame.
Read the full story at NBCNews.com.
