When you crack open a cold can of Pepsi, you probably aren’t thinking about the company’s complex and sometimes controversial history. But behind the fizzy sweetness lies a surprising trail of scandals, lawsuits, and missteps that have plagued the iconic beverage brand over the years. From environmental pollution to questionable ingredients, Pepsi’s past is far from squeaky clean. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most shocking secrets about Pepsi that will make you think twice before taking another sip.
1. Plastic Pollution Nightmare
One of Pepsi’s biggest controversies in recent years revolves around its contribution to the global plastic waste crisis. In 2023, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a historic lawsuit against PepsiCo for allegedly polluting rivers and drinking water with its single-use plastic packaging.
According to the lawsuit, PepsiCo is the number one or number two producer of branded plastic trash collected across the United States, with its waste making up a staggering 17.1% of identifiable plastic pollution in the Buffalo River area. The plastic contamination poses serious threats to wildlife and human health, including the city of Buffalo’s drinking water supply.
Despite PepsiCo’s claims of promoting recycling and sustainability, the lawsuit alleges that the majority of its plastic packaging ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment, where it breaks down into harmful microplastics. The case seeks to hold PepsiCo accountable for the damage it has inflicted upon New York’s communities and environment.
2. Controversial Ingredients and Health Concerns
Pepsi has also faced scrutiny over the years for its use of controversial ingredients and the potential health risks associated with its sugary beverages. In one particularly bizarre scandal, Pepsi found itself boycotted by anti-abortion groups over its partnership with a biotech company called Senomyx, which allegedly used embryonic kidney cells to develop flavor enhancers for a new low-calorie soda.
While Pepsi and Senomyx have not provided their side of the story, a review of Senomyx’s patents suggests that the claim may be true, as most of their patents reference the use of HEK 293 cells, which are derived from human embryonic kidney cells. This revelation has not only angered anti-abortionists but has also cast a shadow over Pepsi’s attempts to create healthier products.
Beyond this specific controversy, Pepsi has long faced criticism for the high sugar content and lack of nutritional value in many of its beverages. As public health awareness has grown in recent decades, the company has been forced to announce gradual recipe changes to reduce sugar levels, though it remains unclear if such incremental shifts can truly change engrained brand perceptions.
3. Racial Insensitivity and Stereotyping
Pepsi’s history is also marred by instances of racial insensitivity and stereotyping in its marketing and advertising. While the company was an early pioneer in hiring black employees and targeting minority communities, some of its past ads relied on crude stereotypes and offensive portrayals.
In the 1940s and 50s, for example, Pepsi actively targeted African American consumers, which led to some backlash within the company, with one executive expressing concern about Pepsi becoming known as a “negro drink.” While this push for inclusivity was positive in some respects, Pepsi’s approach was far from perfect, demonstrating the company’s sometimes clumsy and insensitive handling of diversity and social issues.
More recently, Pepsi faced widespread criticism for its tone-deaf 2017 ad featuring Kendall Jenner, which appeared to trivialize and appropriate protest movements and social justice issues. The ad was quickly pulled amid the backlash, but it served as a stark reminder of the brand’s ongoing struggles with racial and cultural sensitivity.
4. Soviet Controversy and Political Missteps
Pepsi’s global expansion efforts have sometimes landed the company in politically charged controversies, particularly during the Cold War era. In the 1970s and 80s, Pepsi made pioneering inroads into the Soviet market through joint bottling ventures, earning it the nickname “Pepsi-stroika” in a nod to the Soviet Union’s perestroika reforms.
While this early entry into the Soviet sphere was seen as a savvy business move, it also linked Pepsi to perceptions that it was cozying up to the Soviet elite and turning a blind eye to the regime’s human rights abuses. The company’s Soviet ties highlighted the challenges and ethical dilemmas that multinational corporations face when operating in politically fraught environments.
Pepsi’s political missteps haven’t been limited to the Soviet Union. Over the years, the company has faced criticism for its involvement in other controversial markets and its alleged complicity in local human rights abuses and environmental degradation. As public scrutiny of corporate social responsibility has intensified, Pepsi has struggled at times to navigate these complex political waters.
5. Marketing Misfires and Celebrity Scandals
From the infamous Madonna controversy in 1989, where Pepsi pulled its sponsorship of the pop icon after her provocative “Like a Prayer” music video caused outrage, to the disastrous Kendall Jenner ad in 2017, Pepsi has a long history of marketing misfires and celebrity scandals.
These controversies often stem from Pepsi’s attempts to tap into youth culture, social movements, and celebrity star power to boost its brand image and appeal. However, the company’s execution is often clumsy and tone-deaf, leading to backlash and ridicule from consumers and media alike.
Pepsi’s marketing stumbles highlight the risks and challenges of leveraging celebrity endorsements and trying to align a brand with popular causes and cultural trends. When these efforts backfire, as they have repeatedly for Pepsi, the damage to the brand’s reputation can be significant and long-lasting.
6. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns
Beyond the specific issue of plastic pollution, Pepsi has faced broader criticism over its environmental impact and sustainability practices. From its water usage in drought-stricken regions to its reliance on unsustainable palm oil, the company has been accused of contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and other ecological harms.
While Pepsi has made efforts to address these concerns, such as setting sustainability goals and introducing plant-based packaging, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and that the company needs to do more to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices throughout its supply chain.
7. Product Failures and Risky Bets
Not all of Pepsi’s controversies have been related to social or political issues. The company has also had its fair share of product failures and risky bets over the years. From the notorious flop of Crystal Pepsi in the 1990s to the short-lived experiments with Pepsi Blue, Josta, and Patio Diet Cola, Pepsi’s history is littered with unsuccessful product launches and flavor variations that failed to catch on with consumers.
These missteps underscore the challenges and risks that beverage companies face in a constantly shifting market, where consumer tastes and preferences can be fickle and hard to predict. While some of Pepsi’s failures can be chalked up to poor timing or execution, others reflect deeper issues with the company’s innovation strategy and ability to read the cultural zeitgeist.
From its dark history of racial stereotyping to its ongoing struggles with plastic pollution and controversial ingredients, Pepsi’s past is filled with surprising secrets and troubling missteps. While the company has undoubtedly had its share of successes over the years, its complex and sometimes controversial history serves as a reminder that even the most iconic brands can have a dark side. So the next time you reach for a refreshing Pepsi, remember that there’s more to this fizzy drink than meets the eye – and not all of it is sweet.
