PepsiCo to test Pepsi Next in Iowa, Wisconsin

PepsiCo will test a new reduced-sugar cola called "Pepsi Next," starting in July. The tests will will be in Iowa and Wisconsin, Massimo D'Amore, a top PepsiCo executive, said Monday at a Beverage Digest conference in New York City. The new drink has 60 percent less sugar than regular Pepsi-Cola.

Pepsi Next was created for consumers who want the taste of a full-calorie soft drink, but have cut their consumption of full-calorie soft drinks to reduce their intake of sugar. Many of those consumers do not like the taste of zero-calorie sot drinks, d'Amore said.

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have tried reduced-calorie soft drinks before, with mixed results. Both Coca-Cola's C2 and Pepsi Edge fizzled, for example.