PepsiCo has announced that it will discontinue ProNutro cereal in South Africa, citing an inability to recreate the original taste and texture that consumers loved. The decision comes after the company introduced a "new generation" of the cereal earlier this year, featuring an updated texture, more versatile usage, improved packaging, and a reduction in sugar. Despite efforts to preserve the nutritional benefits and produce the cereal in a more environmentally sustainable way, the reformulated product was met with criticism from some consumers.
ProNutro has been a staple in South African households for generations, and PepsiCo had hoped to keep the brand available to consumers with the new recipe. However, the company said that some consumers told them the new product experience was not what they expected from ProNutro, particularly in relation to taste, texture, and mixability. PepsiCo listened to consumer feedback and explored options to bring back the original product experience but ultimately decided that it was not possible to recreate the original taste and texture.
The new ProNutro recipe was launched in April and was promoted as retaining the cereal's nutritional benefits while offering a new product experience. The cereal was designed to be more versatile, with PepsiCo suggesting that it could be used both as a traditional cereal and mixed into a shake. However, the changes prompted complaints from some long-time ProNutro consumers about the taste and texture. PepsiCo had previously explained that the recipe adjustment was partly linked to ageing infrastructure and unreliable equipment performance.
PepsiCo said that it had conducted a review before making the decision to discontinue ProNutro in South Africa. The company expressed gratitude for the support that consumers had shown the brand over many years. The discontinuation of ProNutro in South Africa marks the end of an era for a beloved cereal brand that has been part of South African households for generations.
The decision to discontinue ProNutro in South Africa is a significant one, given the brand's long history in the country. PepsiCo had hoped to find a way to keep the brand available to consumers while also updating the recipe to make it more sustainable and versatile. However, it appears that the company was ultimately unable to find a solution that met consumer expectations.
The discontinuation of ProNutro in South Africa will likely be met with disappointment from some consumers who have grown up with the brand. PepsiCo has not announced any plans to reintroduce the cereal in the future, but the company has said that it will continue to support other brands in its portfolio. The company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is likely to remain a focus in its future product development.
