The beverage industry, which relies on artificial sweeteners for diet drinks, has long sought a natural alternative, analysts say, and both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. are hoping sweeteners derived from leaves of the stevia bush will do the trick.
Both beverage companies are expected to launch drinks featuring stevia-based sweeteners, with Pepsi saying it plans to have one in stores by this week. The FDA approval should also lead to much wider distribution of stevia-derived packet sweeteners for coffee and tea.