PepsiCo Sets 2030 Goals to Further Reduce Sodium and Incorporate Diverse Ingredients in Global Food Portfolio

PepsiCo, Inc. has unveiled two new global nutrition goals for 2030 in its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) summary released on June 20. These goals aim to further reduce sodium and incorporate more diverse ingredients, such as legumes, whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, into the company’s global convenient food portfolio. The report indicates that 36% of PepsiCo’s food volume already meets these new sodium targets, and the company has delivered 75 billion portions of the specified diverse ingredients.

PepsiCo stated, “In 2023, we launched a new goal to reduce sodium further in our global convenient foods portfolio, considering the latest guidance from public health authorities. Our new goal is that, by 2030, at least three-quarters of our global convenient foods portfolio volume will meet or be below category sodium targets. The targets cover approximately 30 food categories, from hot cereals to potato and vegetable chips to tortilla chips.”

Significant progress has been made towards PepsiCo’s 2025 sodium reduction goal. By the end of 2023, 72% of convenient foods sales volume in its top global markets met the goal of below 1.3 mg of sodium per calorie, up from 68% at the end of 2022. The company has reformulated products in several countries to contain less sodium. These include Rancheritos and Tostitos Salsa Verde in Mexico; Ruffles Queso, Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Limon, and Baked Lays Original in the United States; Miss Vickie’s Lime & Black Pepper and Ruffles Bar-B-Q in Canada; Doritos Barbeque in France; Doritos Cool American in the Netherlands; and Lays Yogurt and Herb in Pakistan.

PepsiCo also reported progress in reducing sugar content. By the end of 2023, 62% of beverage volume in its Top 26 global markets provided less than 100 calories from added sugars per 12-ounce serving, an increase from 56% at the end of 2022. Additionally, since 2021, PepsiCo has surpassed its 2025 sugar reduction goal, with 77% of convenient foods sales volume in its Top 23 markets not exceeding 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories.

In the realm of packaging, PepsiCo continues to pursue sustainability through a “three-pronged approach” focusing on reducing, recycling, and reusing materials. The company emphasized its commitment to developing end-of-life solutions and improving the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of its packaging. PepsiCo also highlighted its efforts to protect human rights, particularly for workers in the informal recycling sector, through active partnerships and stakeholder engagement.