Why is there no Dr Pepper Zero?

Coming soon: Dr Pepper Zero Sugar. I'm not certain on whether or not this is a complete re-brand of Diet Dr Pepper or an entirely new line all together from ToFizzOrNotToFizz

Last summer, the go-to drink of Ree Drummond's husband (and everyone else with great taste) totally disappeared from store shelves. Increased demand coupled with production delays related to the pandemic led to Dr Pepper being in very short supply. For people like Ladd, who drinks four cans of the sweet nectar a day, this was a trying time.

Table of Contents Show

A shortage of aluminum cans could be partially to blame
Why is there a shortage of Dr Pepper right now?
Does Dr Pepper Zero exist?
Is there a difference between Diet Dr Pepper and Dr Pepper Zero?
Has Diet Dr Pepper been discontinued?

Now, eight months later, Dr Pepper is back in a big way. The beloved soda—or "pop," if you're from the Midwest—has returned to its full-stock glory and launched a new line of products.

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"The Zero you've been waiting for... is finally here," Dr Pepper recently announced on Twitter.

Dr Pepper Zero Sugar, the latest of the brand's better-for-you offerings, is now available in three flavors: original, cherry, and cream. Each flavor contains—you guessed it!—zero grams of sugar.

Longtime lovers of Diet Dr Pepper, which is unofficially the best diet soft drink on the market, are probably wondering what this means for the future of their dear D.D.P.

Fear not, soda fiends, because there's a key difference between the Diet and Zero Sugar versions of Dr Pepper that assures they'll both have a place in this world. Dr Pepper Zero Sugar is sweetened with a combination of aspartame and acesulfame potassium, which makes it slightly more syrupy (read: realistic). Diet Dr Pepper, on the other hand, is sweetened with only aspartame. Science!

So, will you switch your Dr Pepper flavor allegiance to one of the new formulas? Tell us in the comments!

Now, eight months later, Dr Pepper is back in a big way. The beloved soda—or "pop," if you're from the Midwest—has returned to its full-stock glory and launched a new line of products.

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If you're a fan of Dr Pepper and have recently been having trouble procuring cans of your favorite flavor, you're not alone. CNN reports that this specific soda shortage is being seen in multiple regions throughout the United States. The outlet believes that coronavirus is partly to blame for the scarcity, saying that the shortage is being caused by customers purchasing extra canned beverages at the beginning of the pandemic to offset their consumption that would normally happen in bars and restaurants. Fearing potential lock-downs or illness, many consumers overbought products, leading to shortages in things like toilet paper, meat, and yeast.

In a statement posted to the brand's Twitter account, Dr Pepper confirmed that shortages are being seen nationwide across all of their products, including newcomer Dr Pepper & Cream Soda. The company's website lists 11 permanent flavors of the soda in total. In their statement, Dr Pepper thanks fans for their patience and understanding as the brand works through the accessibility problem with their distribution partners while continuing to prioritize workers' safety. They encourage customers to "contact your local retailer directly for the most up-to-date availability of Dr Pepper products."

A shortage of aluminum cans could be partially to blame

Tops of aluminum cans Shutterstock

While Keruig Dr Pepper (the parent company of Dr Pepper) is simply blaming the soda shortage on the fact that the brand has seen consistent growth over the past four years and is now working on catching up with the rising demand, CNN posits that Dr Pepper's stocking issue may be linked to the aluminum can shortage which has been reportedly causing problems for the beer industry. The company did not respond to CNN's question if they felt the two issues were related.

The American Beverage Association, a trade association that represents many popular companies involved in the production and sales of non-alcoholic drinks, did offer a statement on the possibility of the aluminum can shortage affecting the soda industry. They informed CNN, "Beverages in convenient take-home packages like aluminum cans are particularly popular right now, and beverage company employees are doing all they can to make sure store shelves remain fully stocked." CNN also reached out to PepsiCo to inquire if they were feeling the effects of the aluminum can shortage, but has yet to receive a response. PepsiCo represents popular soda brands Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and 7UP, among others.

Why is there a shortage of Dr Pepper right now?

The low inventory is the result of increased demand for the product, according to Keurig Dr Pepper, the company that owns Dr Pepper and other beverage brands. Sales of the soda have “increased consistently over the last four years,” the company said in a statement to CNN.

Does Dr Pepper Zero exist?

From the tastemakers who brought you Diet Dr Pepper & Cream Soda comes Dr Pepper & Cream Soda Zero Sugar. The richness of cream soda harmonizes with all 23 flavors of Dr Pepper in the delicious zero-sugar treat you deserve.

Is there a difference between Diet Dr Pepper and Dr Pepper Zero?

While Diet Dr. Pepper is sweetened with aspartame, Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar is sweetened using a combination of aspartame and acesulfame potassium for a more syrupy, authentic Dr. Pepper taste.

Has Diet Dr Pepper been discontinued?

Some wondered whether Dr Pepper Zero Sugar would replace the company's current diet offering, but a spokesperson confirmed to McClatchy News that Diet Dr Pepper isn't going anywhere. “Diet Dr Pepper is here to stay and continues to be a popular brand among consumers,” the spokesperson said.