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PepsiCo's Global Labeling Policy

PepsiCo complies with all relevant labeling laws and regulations in all markets in which our products are sold. As we work to provide consumers with a range of Positive Choices, our general policy is to provide a consistent approach to nutritional labeling across the world, based on the following:

• On the side or back of our packages, and taking account of local legislation, PepsiCo provides nutrition information per serving, per portion, and/or per 100 grams of energy (as Calories, kilocalories, or kilojoules), and on key nutrients— protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium.
• We also provide simplified nutrition information per portion on the front of our packaging (FOP).

Please see our Global Labeling Policy for more information.

Front-of-pack Labeling

Consumers, governments, and other stakeholders are increasingly recommending interpretative FOP labeling that helps provide consumers with nutrition information at a glance and enables quick purchasing and consumption decisions.

PepsiCo supports the recommendation by some of our key stakeholders for one globally consistent FOP label. However, local legislation provides for a wide variety of FOP labels in different countries. These vary from labels calling out a positive nutritional profile, through color-coded traffic light labeling, to warning signs. This proliferation of labeling schemes makes it challenging to achieve this recommendation.

PepsiCo supports FOP labeling that:

• Is science-based;
• Reflects ongoing reformulations by companies and rewards those that offer a range of options including reduced added sugars, saturated fats and sodium;
• Discourages or does not add to a proliferation of labeling schemes around the world; and
• Ultimately, helps consumers make informed choices.

Health and Nutrition Claims

PepsiCo uses nutrition and health claims on-pack and through other marketing channels to provide consumers with relevant nutrition or product information to help them make informed choices.  If we make a health or nutrition claim, or when we add a nutrient for fortification purposes, we provide information in accordance with local regulations or guidelines, and where those do not exist we use, at a minimum, those set out by Codex (including Codex CAC/GL 23-1997 Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims and CAC/GL 9-1987 General Principles for Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods). Our internal guidance on fortification refers to the WHO/FAO Guidelines on food fortification with micronutrients (2006) where appropriate.

Substantiation of Health and Nutrition Claims

PepsiCo’s Global Standards for Health and Nutrient Claims ensure a global, consistent approach to substantiate claims in a systematic, comprehensive, and transparent manner. The standards require that claims are:

• Truthful and not misleading
• Verifiable, substantiated, and accurate
• Clear and specific
• Consistent with internal PepsiCo brand guardrails
• Compliant with local regulations

Claims may also need approval from a Regional PepsiCo Claims Council (PCC). PCCs are comprised of a cross functional team with representation from Legal, Regulatory Affairs, and Nutrition Sciences departments as well as others who may be required on an ad hoc basis. The first PCC was first established in the U.S., and regional PCCs have since been set up in all of our operating divisions. We believe this process ensures that claims are properly substantiated regardless of whether local laws regarding health claims are in place.

Progress

In 2020, PepsiCo monitored compliance with our Global Labeling Policy in most markets around the world, thereby covering approximately 94 percent of net revenue. We found that approximately 99 percent of PepsiCo products complied with our side- and back-of-package labeling policy. Approximately 73 percent of products complied with our FOP labeling policy. This reflects a decline in compliance of approximately 13 percent compared to 2019, due to the introduction of new regulations in Mexico that mandate FOP labels on products “high in calories.” Per portion calorie information is still provided on back-of-pack but was discontinued on FOP to limit consumer confusion. Excluding Mexico, 83 percent of our products comply with our FOP policy.

What's Next?

PepsiCo will continue to ensure our labels provide consumers with easy-to-understand information about the nutritional content of our products, and comply with nutrition labeling requirements wherever our products are sold. As we strive to become PepsiCo Positive, we are also exploring ways to empower consumers with transparent environmental labeling on our key products by 2030.