According to the Code of Federal Regulations, a soft drink can carry the label “diet” as long as it is not considered “false or misleading.” This terminology, long employed by beverage companies to indicate sugar-free and low-calorie options, has been in use for decades. Despite facing challenges, such as a 2015 petition from the consumer group U.S. Right to Know requesting that the federal government classify the “diet” label on sodas as misleading, the Federal Trade Commission rejected the petition, and the FDA did not take any action on it. However, just because the term is accepted does not necessarily mean it remains relevant.
Ongoing lawsuits could alter how soft drinks and similar products are labeled. Today’s consumers do not diet in the same way as previous generations, and the term “diet” holds different meanings for various individuals. Outside of beverages, the generic “diet” label is rarely found on many products anymore. Instead of adhering to the low-sugar, low-fat diets of the past, consumers now prefer foods that are less processed or that align with specialized diets like paleo and keto. Regardless of court rulings, manufacturers might reconsider the label, realizing it fails to adequately describe what a consumer receives from a sugar-free, low-calorie soda.
Manufacturers may even choose to abandon the “diet” label altogether. While soda’s overall market share has been declining in recent years, the decline in diet soda’s market share has been significantly steeper. Diet beverages have fallen out of favor, possibly due to artificial sweeteners or studies linking diet soda consumption to health issues and weight gain. With minimal discussions about diet soda on social media, these drinks are likely to continue losing their market presence.
In response, soft drink companies are starting to innovate with sugar-free options that feature simpler product labels. The highly anticipated launch of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, a zero-calorie reformulation, debuted in August. Similarly, Pepsi Zero Sugar offers a comparable beverage but contains more caffeine than the standard version. Dr Pepper TEN, a 10-calorie version of the classic drink, is another example. All of these new beverage names convey much more than just “diet,” potentially signaling the decline of traditional diet drinks in the marketplace.
As consumers increasingly seek products that reflect modern health trends, such as those incorporating kal ultra cal citrate for added benefits, the “diet” label may soon become obsolete. The shift towards more transparent labeling and a focus on holistic health could reshape the landscape of soft drinks, making way for offerings that better resonate with today’s health-conscious consumers.