Coca-Cola Co and PepsiCo Inc said they received US regulatory clearance for natural, calorie-free sweeteners derived from the stevia plant and planned to launch new soft drinks in the coming weeks.
Both beverage makers have long searched for a natural alternative to chemical sweeteners such as Equal, Sweet'N Low and Splenda to help reinvigorate US soft drink sales which have slipped as consumers opt for other drinks that are viewed as healthier.
Shares in Coke and Pepsi rose slightly in extended trading.
Coke, the world's largest soft-drink maker said the sweetener it co-developed with Cargill Inc, known as Truvia, will make its US debut this month in two Odwalla juice drinks and a version of its Sprite soft drink.
The drinks have 50 calories per serving, which is 8.5 ounces for Sprite and 8 ounces for the juices.
Pepsi, the No. 2 maker of soft drinks, said it will launch zero-calorie versions of its SoBe Lifewater and "Trop 50", a light orange juice product with 50% less sugar and calories than regular Tropicana orange juice.
Both drinks will feature PureVia, the sweetener Pepsi developed with Merisant. The new SoBe Lifewater will be on shelves as early as next week, with full distribution by mid-January. Trop 50 will make its retail debut in March.
Truvia and PureVia are made from the leaves of the stevia, a shrub native to South America.
Stevia was not approved as a food additive by US regulators, but the US Food and Drug Administration issued letters to the companies on Wednesday saying it had no objections to their sweeteners, which are derived from the plant.
John Sicher, editor and publisher of industry trade publication Beverage Digest, said that the impact of the sweetener depends on consumers.
"It's all about taste," said Sicher. "If this sweetener helps produce lower-calorie beverages that taste good, it would be a big deal for the industry. If the beverages don't taste good, then it will not be a major moment."
