Pepsi onto 'next' best thing

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo said that it is ready to test market a new reduced-sugar cola.

The company said that its latest innovation, Pepsi Next, would be available in the Iowa and Wisconsin markets. The beverage offers consumers the taste of a full-calorie cola while touting less sugar, Pepsi said at the Beverage Digest Wall Street Smarts conference on Monday.

"As part of our continued commitment to innovate our carbonated soft drinks portfolio, we developed Pepsi Next, a great-tasting, full-flavor cola with 60% less sugar," PepsiCo Beverages America CEO Massimo d'Amore said. "In thorough consumer research, Pepsi Next resonated very well with consumers who are seeking a new, reduced-sugar alternative to their loved cola."