Diet Sprite, like other diet sodas, has faced scrutiny and reformulation over the years. While the exact reasons for discontinuing Diet Sprite in certain markets may vary, several factors contribute to these decisions, ranging from health concerns related to artificial sweeteners to broader market trends and brand strategies. This article explores the potential reasons behind the discontinuation of Diet Sprite, examining the role of ingredients like aspartame, changing consumer preferences, and the evolving landscape of the beverage industry.
Aspartame and Health Concerns
One of the primary reasons behind the discontinuation or reformulation of Diet Sprite and similar products is the ongoing concern surrounding artificial sweeteners, particularly aspartame. Aspartame has been a subject of debate for decades, with researchers and consumers raising questions about its potential health risks.
Regulatory Approval and Acceptable Daily Intake
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated the use of aspartame since 1974 and approved it as a general-purpose sweetener in 1996. The acceptable daily intake for aspartame established by the FDA is 50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. According to these guidelines, a person weighing about 150 pounds (or 68 kg) could consume around 17 cans of diet soda per day, given that a 12-ounce can of diet soda contains about 200 mg of aspartame.
Concerns and Conflicting Studies
Despite regulatory approval, concerns persist. Aspartame is not safe for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a hereditary disorder that causes phenylalanine to accumulate in the body. People with PKU must strictly limit their phenylalanine intake and opt for diet drinks without aspartame.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reclassified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in July 2023, based on limited evidence. However, the WHO still advises that consuming up to 40 mg/kg of body weight per day is a safe amount. The FDA disagrees with the WHO's classification, citing research that found no link between low- and no-calorie sweeteners and beverages and increased cancer risk in humans.
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Recent studies present mixed conclusions. A data-mining analysis published in 2025 suggested that artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, might increase the incidence of kidney cancer, low-grade glioma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. The study’s researchers advised the public to reduce their intake of artificial sweeteners to alleviate common health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. Conversely, another study published in 2025 found no association between aspartame consumption and invasive breast cancer risk.
Neurotoxic Effects
In addition to cancer concerns, research has linked aspartame with neurotoxic effects. A review of 29 studies associated aspartame with behavioral concerns, mood disorders, and memory and learning impairments. Some studies were conducted on humans, while others involved animals, making it challenging to determine how these effects translate to humans. Older research also associated aspartame with behavioral and cognitive problems, such as headaches, irritable mood, depression, and insomnia.
Shifting Consumer Preferences
Changing consumer preferences also play a significant role in the discontinuation of products like Diet Sprite. As health awareness grows, consumers increasingly seek beverages with natural ingredients, lower sugar content, or alternative sweeteners.
Demand for Natural Ingredients
The trend toward natural ingredients has prompted companies to reformulate their products. Wegmans, for example, discontinued its Wegmans Brand Soda because it contained artificial ingredients like aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. Their "Food You Feel Good About" banner represents a commitment to no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Reformulation and Alternative Sweeteners
Many beverage companies have responded to consumer demand by reformulating their products to reduce sugar content or replace artificial sweeteners with natural alternatives like stevia. In 2012, Sprite in France was reformulated to remove 30% of the sugar and replace it with stevia, resulting in a lower-calorie drink. Similarly, Sprite in Australia was relaunched with a new recipe containing 40% less sugar in August 2019. In March 2023, Coca-Cola announced another formula change for Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar in the United Kingdom to differentiate the two varieties.
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Brand Strategy and Market Dynamics
Brand strategy and market dynamics are crucial factors in the decision to discontinue or reformulate products. Companies continuously assess the performance of their brands and make strategic decisions based on sales, market trends, and overall business objectives.
Discontinuation of Underperforming Brands
Sometimes, companies discontinue brands when the effort required to sell them is not justified by the sales volume. In such cases, the juice is not worth the squeeze, and the company decides to shut down the brand. Coca-Cola, for example, discontinued its original diet soda, Tab, in 2020.
Brand Evolution and Innovation
Companies often discontinue products to make way for new innovations or to streamline their product portfolio. The Coca-Cola Company has a history of introducing new flavors and variations of Sprite to cater to different consumer preferences. These include Sprite Cranberry, Sprite Tropical Mix, and Sprite Lemon-Lime Zero Sugar.
Geographical Considerations
The decision to discontinue a product may vary by region based on local market conditions and consumer preferences. While Diet Sprite may be discontinued in one market, it may continue to be sold in others.
The History and Evolution of Sprite
Understanding the history and evolution of the Sprite brand provides context for the decisions surrounding its various formulations and product offerings.
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Early History and Target Demographic
Sprite is a clear, lemon-lime flavored soft drink created by the Coca-Cola Company. The Sprite brand name was created in about 1955 by T. C. "Bud" Evans, a Houston-based bottler who also distributed Coca-Cola products. By the 1980s, Sprite had developed a large following among teenagers and began to cater to this demographic in its advertisements in 1987.
Marketing and Slogans
In 1993, marketing agency Lowe and Partners created a new slogan, "Control your thirst," for Sprite. The new logo featured a blue-to-green gradient with silver "splashes" and subtle white "bubbles" in the background. The brand's slogan was later changed to "Obey Your Thirst," with urban-oriented jingles featuring a hip-hop theme. In 2006, a new Sprite logo, consisting of two yellow and green "halves" forming an "S" lemon/lime design, was introduced, and the slogan was changed to "Obey" in the United States and "Freedom From Thirst" in many other countries.
Packaging and Reformulation
In July 2022, the Coca-Cola Company announced that Sprite would discontinue its green bottles on August 1 and switch to clear plastic bottles. This decision was part of a broader effort to improve the recyclability of its packaging.
Over the years, Sprite has undergone several reformulations to reduce sugar content or replace artificial sweeteners. In 2012, the drink was reformulated in France, removing 30% of the sugar and replacing it with stevia. A further formula change happened in the UK in 2018. In Australia, Sprite was relaunched with a new recipe containing 40% less sugar in August 2019.
Sprite Variations
Sprite has introduced numerous variations to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. These include:
- Diet Sprite: Originally produced as "Sugar Free Sprite" in 1974, it was renamed "Diet Sprite" in 1983. In September 2004, it was rebranded as "Diet Sprite Zero" in the US and "Sprite Zero" in other countries.
- Sprite Remix: A series of sodas with tropical, berry, and fruit flavors.
- Sprite Cranberry: A spiced cranberry flavor sold during the holiday season.
- Sprite Lemonade: A lemonade-flavored Sprite.
- Sprite Chill: A variety with a colder taste.
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