Pepsi awaiting Govt nod to use Stevia as sweetener

Soft drinks and snacks major PepsiCo India today said it may use Stevia as an alternative sweetener if the Government permits it do so.

"If the Government gives an approval and allows us (PepsiCo India) to use an alternative sweetener, then we might use Stevia as an alternative for sugar in soft drinks," PepsiCo India executive director Geetu Verma, told PTI.

The company has recently sought Government permission to use alternative sweeteners following the steep rise in sugar prices due to scarcity of sugar cane.

However, Verma said getting the approval may take anywhere between six months to two years.

Asked whether the company would be increasing the prices of its sugar-based products, Verma said though there is a pressure on them due to high input costs such as rising sugar price, there are no such plans as of now.