Coca-Cola enters prebiotic soda market with launch of Simply Pop
US – Coca-Cola is set to introduce its new prebiotic soda brand, Simply Pop, as it seeks to capture a share of the rapidly expanding market for health-focused beverages.
The move positions the beverage giant against established players such as Olipop, SunSip, and Poppi, which have gained traction in the growing prebiotic soda segment.
Over the past two decades, soda consumption in the US has declined significantly due to increasing health awareness and the rise of alternative beverages, such as cold brews, energy drinks, and flavored waters.
However, the prebiotic soda category has experienced notable growth, with sales projected to rise from US$197 million in 2020 to approximately US$440 million in 2024, according to Euromonitor International.
Despite this upward trend, prebiotic sodas still represent a small portion of the overall soda market, which is valued in the billions.
Simply Pop is expected to hit store shelves later this month, with an initial launch on the West Coast and in the Southeast of the US.
The product line will include flavors such as pineapple mango, lime, strawberry, fruit punch, and citrus punch, reflecting Coca-Cola’s existing Simply juice brand.
According to the company, the beverages are formulated with no added sugar and contain 25% to 30% real fruit juice, along with added vitamin C and zinc.
Each serving includes 6g of prebiotic fiber, which is higher than Poppi’s offering but lower than Olipop’s 9g.
Prebiotics, which are believed to support gut health, have gained popularity, particularly among younger demographics such as millennials and Gen Z.
The introduction of Simply Pop comes as competitors continue expanding their market presence. Olipop recently secured US$50 million in funding, bringing its valuation to US$1.85 billion, while Poppi gained widespread attention with a high-profile Super Bowl advertisement.
Despite the category’s growth, health claims related to prebiotic beverages have faced scrutiny. Poppi is currently in settlement discussions over a lawsuit questioning the health benefits of its products, signaling potential regulatory concerns for the industry as a whole.
Coca-Cola’s entry into the prebiotic soda segment leverages its extensive experience in the beverage market and its vast distribution and marketing capabilities.
In the full year 2024, the company reported a 3 percent increase in net revenues to US$47.1 billion, with organic revenues rising 12 percent, driven by an 11 percent increase in price/mix and a 2 percent growth in concentrate sales.
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