ATLANTA -- Consumers in the Southeast are getting the first taste of Coca-Cola’s new lower-calorie soda Coca-Cola Life.
Grocer The Fresh Market reported on its website Monday that the mid-calorie carbonated soft drink is exclusively available in its stores through mid-October and that the test is only in select markets in Florida, Georgia, North Caroline and South Carolina.
“As a specialty grocer with a focus on providing fresh, high-quality products, we believe our shoppers will enjoy this great-tasting, lower-calorie cola sweetened from natural origins,” Karen Stout, vice president of non perishables and private label at The Fresh Market, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Coca-Cola Life was introduced in 2013 in Argentina and Chile. It replaced the high-fructose corn syrup used in regular Cocal-Cola and is instead sweetened with sugar and stevia.
The new soda is Atlanta-based Coca-Cola’s way "to attract consumers who want the full-bodied taste of regular Coke without all the calories," according to the newspaper.
A 330-ml can of Coca-Cola Life contains 89 calories. A similar size can of regular Coke has around 140 calories.
Pepsi introduced a similar product, Pepsi Next, in 2012. Coca-Cola will distribute Coca-Cola Life nationwide beginning in October.
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