PepsiCo (PEP) has reintroduced an old ingredient into Sierra Mist, and fans of the drink appear to be pretty unhappy about it.
The stevia that has been used to sweeten the lemon-lime soft drink is now being switched out for high fructose corn syrup, Consumerist reports. This move has elicited big reactions from consumers, many of whom are saying that they will no longer buy the beverage.
PepsiCo originally removed high fructose corn syrup from Sierra Mist in 2010 and replaced it with cane sugar. That allowed the company to market the drink as “natural,” distinguishing it from other soft drinks on the market that are sweetened with corn syrup or artificial sweeteners and gaining the loyalty of customers who perceived it as a healthy alternative. It then modified the recipe to include stevia instead of cane sugar, but since stevia comes from a plant it was able to keep its “natural” label.
Now Sierra Mist is being rebranded as Mist TWST and will be sweetened with high fructose corn syrup again. This is an interesting decision, considering consumers are more concerned about what goes into their bodies today than they were six years ago.
Fans of the drink have taken to social media to express their disappointment:
https://twitter.com/toby_dorena/status/729082752830595072
https://twitter.com/AlexHClement/status/729140304054386688
Sierra Mist, is being replaced by Mist Twist, going from sugar to high fructose corn syrup. I guess I just quit drinking soda.
— pslgreg (@pslgreg) April 15, 2016
Sad that Sierra Mist has become Mist Twist replacing the sugar with high fructose corn syrup. We don't want HFCS.
— Go Bucks (@buckeyemomof2) April 28, 2016
@PepsiCo I'm a HUGE fan of Sierra Mist w/ natural SUGAR, & NOT a fan of @MistTwst w/high fructose corn syrup!!!!!!!! Https://t.co/7IQFsD5ewg
— Chris Ruzzin (@Cruzzro) May 14, 2016
PepsiCo could not immediately be reached for comment.