As consumers reject synthetic dyes, PepsiCo looks for new ways to keep the vivid color in Gatorade and other drinks

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. accelerate / ækˈsel ə reɪt / (v.) – to make something happen sooner or more quickly
    Example:

    The company decided to accelerate the production of the new phone to meet customer demand.


  2. shelf life / ʃelf laɪf / (n.) – the amount of time something can be stored before it becomes too old, unsafe, or unusable
    Example:

    The bread has a short shelf life, so we must eat it within three days.


  3. adequate / ˈæd ɪ kwət / (adj.) – good enough in quantity or quality for a particular purpose
    Example:

    The shelter provides adequate food and water for all the people staying there.


  4. prototype / ˈpro tə taɪp / (n.) – the first version, sample, or model of something made to test an idea or see how it works
    Example:

    The company is testing several prototypes before choosing the best one.


  5. snag / snæɡ / (v.) – to stop or slow down progress
    Example:

    A last-minute problem could snag the project and delay the start date.


Article

Read the text below.

At several laboratories at a PepsiCo campus in Valhalla, New York, 30 miles north of New York City, scientists are busy figuring out how to replace the company’s artificial food dyes with natural food colorings in its beverages, especially Gatorade, one of its core products.


The company’s challenge: keeping Gatorade and other beverages vivid and colorful without the artificial dyes that U.S. consumers are increasingly rejecting. PepsiCo announced in April that it would accelerate a planned shift to natural colors in its foods and beverages. Right now, around 40% of the company’s products contain synthetic dyes.


But just as it took decades for artificial colors to seep into PepsiCo’s foods, it will take years to remove them. PepsiCo hasn’t committed to meeting the Trump administration’s goal of phasing out petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of 2026. The company said it’s still finding new ingredients, testing consumers’ responses and waiting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve natural alternatives.


The company says it can take two or three years to bring a product to market with a new natural color. PepsiCo must identify an agricultural source that will have a stable shelf life and not change a product’s flavor. Then it must ensure it can get a safe and adequate supply. It tests prototypes with trained experts and panels of consumers, then makes sure the new formula won’t snag its manufacturing process. It also has to design new packaging.


When Pepsi was founded in 1902, being free from artificial dyes was a point of pride. The company marketed Pepsi as “The Original Pure Food Drink” to differentiate it from rivals who were using lead, arsenic and other toxins as food colors before the U.S. banned them in 1906.


But synthetic dyes eventually won over food companies. They were vivid, consistent and cheaper than natural colors. They are also rigorously tested by the FDA and contain no traces of the crude oil they originate from.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Pepsi used to call itself “The Original Pure Food Drink.” Do you think slogans like that really matter to customers (ex. Nike’s Just Do It)? Why or why not? How much do you believe marketing labels like “pure,” “natural,” or “organic?” Discuss.
  • What is a slogan you remember from a product or brand? Did it make you want to try it? Why? Should companies only use slogans that are 100% true, or is it okay to make them sound better than they are? Why do you say so? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • PepsiCo must find natural dyes that don’t change the drink’s flavor or shelf life. Would you still drink something if it looked different but tasted the same? Why or why not? In your opinion, should companies focus more on the quality of the product inside or how it looks outside? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • How important is the color of food or drinks to you? Do colors and packaging affect your decision to buy food or drinks? Would you still eat or drink something that looks dull but tastes great? What colors do you find most appealing and what colors do you find unappetizing? Why? Discuss.