PepsiCo taps Sweetmyx for two drinks

SAN DIEGO — Senomyx, the maker of Sweetmyx, a flavor enhancer that enhances the sweetness of drinks with less sugar, last week announced that PepsiCo would be using Sweetmyx S617 in two drinks.

PepsiCo will use reformulated concentrates in Manzanita Sol and Mug Root Beer in two U.S. test markets, according to John Poyhonen, president and CEO of Senomyx.

"In August, Senomyx earned a commercial milestone from PepsiCo for the first sale of a concentrate using Sweetmyx S617,” Poyhonen said.

PepsiCo now has exclusive rights to use new flavor ingredients and natural high intensity sweeteners worldwide in non-alcoholic beverages, and Firmenich has exclusive rights to use Sweetmyx S617 in new flavor ingredients for food product categories and alcoholic beverages until March 2018, according to the company.