Coke, Pepsi to start use of Splenda in diet drinks

ATLANTA (AP) — The Coca-Cola Co., the world's biggest soft drink maker, said Monday it will begin selling Diet Coke sweetened with sugar substitute Splenda in the spring. Rival PepsiCo Inc., meanwhile, said it plans to reformulate its single-calorie drink Pepsi One with the sweetener as well.

Shares of a major manufacturer of Splenda's key ingredient rose on the news.

Diet Coke with Splenda will have a distinct label with the name of the sweetener on it as well as a yellow streak. Coca-Cola will continue to sell traditional Diet Coke, which is flavored with aspartame, separately.

Diet Coke with Splenda is expected to be launched in the second quarter, the Atlanta-based company said in a statement.

The launch follows Coke's rollout of other flavors of Diet Coke, including lime, lemon, cherry and vanilla.