11 Jun 2014
Coca-Cola GB launches Life to deliver more consumer choice and cut calories with natural sweetners
Today, Coca-Cola Great Britain announces that Coca-Cola Life, the newest addition to the Coca-Cola Trademark, will be available across Great Britain later this year. First piloted in Argentina and Chile in 2013, this will be the first time it will be available in Europe. This lower-calorie cola contains a third less sugar and a third fewer calories than regular cola[1] and is sweetened from natural sources.
Sweetened with a blend of sugar and naturally-sourced stevia leaf extract, a 330ml can of Coca-Cola Life contains 89 calories and features striking green branding that will join other Coca-Cola products on shelves from September. Coca-Cola Life is the first new Coca-Cola to be launched in Great Britain since the arrival of Coca-Cola Zero in 2006.
The latest addition to CCGB's diverse product portfolio, Coca-Cola Life and its naturally-sourced sweetener - stevia leaf extract - represent the latest in sweetener innovation. Stevia leaf extract is naturally sourced from the stevia plant, which is native to South America. Currently, CCGB uses stevia leaf extract as a sweetener in Sprite and Glacéau vitaminwater.
In addition, Coca-Cola Life delivers on the Company's well-being commitments, both in Great Britain and around the world, to provide consumers with more reduced-, low- and no-calorie options. It is the most recent example in a series of initiatives by the Company to inspire happier, healthier lives. In the past 12 months, CCGB has reduced the calorie content of Sprite by reducing the sugar and introducing stevia leaf extract; launched the smaller 250ml can across the Coca-Cola portfolio and, most recently, announced a £20m commitment to get one million people more active by 2020.
CCGB is a public signatory to the Government's Responsibility Deal and has committed to reduce the average calories per litre in its range of sparkling drinks by 5% by the end of 2014. More than 40% of the cola sold by CCGB in the UK is already no-calorie and the launch of Coca-Cola Life gives consumers even greater choice within the portfolio: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Life with a third fewer calories1 and two zero-calorie options in Coca-Cola Zero and Diet Coke.
Like 97% of Coca-Cola products sold in GB, Coca-Cola Life will be made in Great Britain at Coca-Cola factories in East Kilbride, Edmonton, Wakefield and Sidcup.
James Quincey, President Coca-Cola Europe explains: "We are pleased to add Coca-Cola Life to the Coca-Cola portfolio in the UK. It complements our existing brands and is well-positioned to meet changing lifestyle trends, providing people with a great-tasting, lower calorie cola sweetened from natural sources.
"With Coca-Cola Life, we have innovated to provide consumers with a new option with fewer calories. We were early signatories to the UK Government's Responsibility Deal and as we work with others across society to address the public health challenge of obesity in the UK and across Europe, we will continue to take actions that help people balance their lifestyles."
Coca-Cola Life's 500ml bottle will contain PlantBottle plastic made using up to 22.5 per cent plant materials combined with up to 25 per cent recycled plastic. All packs will be fully recyclable and both the 330ml can and 1.75L PET bottle will contain recycled materials[2].
The recommended retail price for Coca-Cola Life will be in line with the Coca-Cola portfolio. The launch in September will be supported by a marketing campaign, which will include digital, outdoor and print.
- 36% less calories vs full sugared colas in GB due to a sugar reduction of 37% thanks to stevia leaf extract.
- The 330ml cans will be made from aluminium containing 46% recycled aluminium. The 1.75L bottle will contain 25% rPET.
ENDS
About Coca-Cola Great Britain:
Coca-Cola Great Britain is responsible for marketing 21 brands and over 100 products to consumers across Great Britain, with a focus upon developing new brands and extending existing brands including Coca-Cola (recognised as one of the world's most valuable brands).
Other Coca-Cola Great Britain brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Oasis, Glacéau vitaminwater, Schweppes, 5 Alive, Lilt, Kia Ora, Relentless Energy Drink and Powerade. The Coca-Cola Great Britain portfolio is worth £1,914 million in 2013 with value sales growth of 3.4%. Within this, My Coke (Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero) is worth £1,192 million (all Nielsen, w/e 28/12/13).
In 2013, Coca-Cola announced four global business commitments to inspire happier, healthier communities. These commitments are to: make low and no calorie options available in every country; market responsibly, including no advertising to children under the age of 12; provide transparent nutritional information, including calorie content, on the front of our packs; and help get people by moving by supporting physical activity programmes in every country.
Coca-Cola Great Britain is committed to developing innovative, responsible and sustainable initiatives that help protect the environment. The Company has launched its PlantBottleT plastic made from up to 22.5% plant-based materials.
For more information about Coca-Cola in Great Britain, please visit our website at www.coca-cola.co.uk.
