PepsiCo commits to expanding diverse ingredients portfolio across Europe

PepsiCo has announced a new ambitious nutrition goal to expand its diverse ingredients portfolio in Europe and globally, as part of PepsiCo Positive (pep+), the company’s end-to-end strategic transformation.

Consumption of diverse ingredients, such as legumes, whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds can help promote a more nutritionally complete diet, however there is currently an insufficient intake of these ingredients across Europe.

As part of its Positive Choices commitment, PepsiCo aims to globally deliver 145 billion portions of diverse ingredients annually by 2030, with each portion providing approximately10% of the suggested daily amount of a diverse ingredient.

PepsiCo already offers many brands in Europe, such as Alvalle, Benenuts and Duyvis that contain diverse ingredients such as nuts and seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and 100% whole grain Quaker Oats.

This forms part of PepsiCo’s EU Code of Conduct for Responsible Business and Marketing Practices ambition to build a $1 billion ‘healthier’ portfolio in the EU by 2030.

“As one of the largest food and beverage companies in Europe, we’re passionate about delivering diverse ingredients across our portfolio and offering positive choices to consumers. Through R&D initiatives, blending technology and ingenuity, we’re reshaping our portfolio to benefit both consumers and the planet. I’m confident in these ambitions announced today,” said Sean Westcott, Senior Vice President of Research and Development, PepsiCo Europe.

Guided by public health organizations including the World Health Organization, PepsiCo is also committing that 75% of its global foods volume will meet or be below category sodium targets by 2030. In the UK, Walkers 45% Less Salt has already become a hit with consumers and despite only launching last year, the new range has become a £30 million brand and estimated to be in over 16% of UK households.

These commitments build on the progress PepsiCo has already made globally over the past decade to reduce added sugars in beverages and sodium and saturated fat in foods and create alternatives of existing brands with improved nutritional profiles, like Pepsi MAX, 7UP Free and Lay’s Oven Baked.

These goals are part of PepsiCo’s wider pep+ agenda, which aims to create a more sustainable food system and support the EU’s ambitious Green Deal, including by sourcing alternative crops that help to protect and enhance biodiversity.

“At PepsiCo we rely on a secure supply of more than 30 agricultural crops and ingredients — such as potatoes, corn, and oats — from approximately 60 countries to make iconic products that bring smiles to consumers around the world. Through pep+ and our Positive Agriculture pillar, we are committed to helping farmers grow food in a way that improves soil health and protects and enhances biodiversity. Our diverse ingredients goal aims to accelerate sustainable food systems, while also preserving natural resources for future generations,” said Archana Jagannathan, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo Europe.