PepsiCo Nutrition Philosophy

Global health continues to be impacted by the rise in obesity and concomitant poor dietary quality leading to suboptimal nutrition status and increased risk of ill-health and chronic disease. By offering consumers more nutritious food and beverage options, we seek to positively impact the future of food around the world while ensuring local tastes and preferences are considered.

We strive to add product offerings with positive nutrition like whole grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy and protein, as well as supporting good hydration.

Development of PepsiCo’s Nutrition Criteria

As part of PepsiCo’s transformation journey, the PepsiCo Nutrition Criteria (PNC) were developed, as a set of science-based nutrition guidelines that serve as a compass to assist PepsiCo’s portfolio transformation. The PNC are based on food and nutrient recommendations from leading global and national nutrition authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Academy of Medicine and dietary guidelines from numerous countries.

The PNC sets standards for nutrients to limit, and nutrients and food groups to encourage that are based on the latest science and country-specific dietary guidelines.

Each level includes criteria related to:

Maximum levels for nutrients to limit
Minimal levels for food groups to encourage
Minimum levels for nutrients to encourage

The Scope of PepsiCo Nutrition Criteria

Nutrients to Limit

Nutrients that have been well-established as dietary factors that can contribute to the risk of specific diseases when consumed in excess. They include:

Saturated Fats
Trans Fats
Sodium
Added Sugars

Food Groups to Encourage

Food groups that have been well-established as contributing to healthier diets. They include:

Fruit
Vegetables
Whole Grains
Low Fat Dairy
Nuts
Seeds
Legumes/Pulses

Nutrients to Encourage

Nutrients that have been identified as being commonly under-consumed in a population. They are often called “shortfall nutrients”. They may include:

Iron
Fiber
Specific Vitamins and/or Minerals such as Calcium

PepsiCo Nutrition
Criteria Categories

Our global portfolio was divided into 10 categories, and a unique set of multi-level criteria was developed for each category.

FOODS

Cereal (Grains Foods & Savory)
Side Dishes, Breads, Grains, Pastas, Flours (Grains and Savory)
Nutrition Forward Snacks
Savory and Sweet Snacks
Dips, Nuts, Seeds, Nut Butters

BEVERAGES

Soft Drinks
Teas and Coffees
Water and Sparkling Waters
Dairy and Plant-based
Fruit and Vegetable Juices

Reformulation and Innovation Efforts

PepsiCo’s transformation journey is not easy or fast: we are working hard despite technical challenges to introduce new products that contain nutritious ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.