We often receive questions about the role of sodium in the diet. It surprises people to know that dietary sodium actually has an important role in maintaining health. Sodium is an essential mineral or micronutrient which along with potassium helps to regulate the body’s fluid balance.  However, when consumed in excess (as sodium chloride or common salt), it can raise blood pressure and contribute to death and disability from heart disease and stroke. A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 9 out of 10 Americans exceed the limit recommended for daily sodium intake. In fact, for the group of Americans whom a lower dietary intake of sodium is important, the amount of sodium consumed was more than double the recommended limit. The CDC report also showed that only 9.6% of U.S. adults were below the recommended dietary limit of 2,300... Read more

Earlier this week, PepsiCo’s blog, Food Frontiers, was added to ScienceBlogs.com so we could begin open discussions about the role science can play in finding solutions to global nutrition challenges. Since the announcement of our participation in ScienceBlogs.com, we’ve heard some very candid feedback from the ScienceBlogs community. As many of you have undoubtedly heard by now, the Food Frontiers blog has been removed from ScienceBlogs. In hearing the community’s feedback, we agree with this decision and feel that the best approach is to take a step back and first examine the role industry scientists, such as myself, can play in the discussion about nutrition science within the larger scientific community. We knew going in that there would be real differences among scientists within and outside of industry. Our intent is to embrace that conversation, share what we’re doing, and have open discussions to learn from one... Read more

In this short, one minute video, Mehmood Khan, PepsiCo’s Chief Scientific Officer talks about ‘Performance with Purpose’ at PepsiCo’s Senior Management Meeting in Orlando last week. Read more

I’m writing from Yankee Stadium in New York City – the site of PepsiCo’s investor meeting this year – where we just announced global goals in the areas of human, environment, and talent sustainability. It’s a momentous day for our company as we make these bold commitments that push the limits of what’s achievable for a global food and beverage business. These goals are a critical part of our Performance with Purpose mission.  Performance with Purpose is PepsiCo’s promise to deliver sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet. As a global food and beverage company with brands that stand for quality and are respected household names—Quaker Oats, Tropicana, Gatorade, Lay’s and Pepsi-Cola, to name a few—we will continue to build a portfolio of enjoyable and wholesome foods and beverages, find innovative ways to reduce the use of energy, water and packaging,... Read more

For generations PepsiCo has been offering some of the world's favorite foods and beverages and, increasingly, we are focused on improving our products and developing new ones through science-based solutions. The following video offers an informative look at some of the ways PepsiCo is demonstrating its commitment to “Performance with Purpose.” From partnerships with leading organizations, to the hiring of a Chief Scientific Officer, to incorporating healthier ingredients in products, PepsiCo is committed to building a strong business and making a positive impact on society. Read more

At the New York Academy of Sciences’ sixth annual Science & the City Gala, Indra Nooyi accepted the “Sustainability Award” on PepsiCo’s behalf, alongside Rajendra Pachauri, chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Nobel Laureate. The theme of this year’s gala was “Sustainable Cities.” It was a gathering of renowned thought leaders and leaders of the scientific community, including seven Nobel Laureates and many talented young researchers.The New York Academy of Sciences also presented the third annual Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists Read more

I’ve been a practicing physician for 27 years specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and nutrition including many years spent at the University of MN and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, as well as serving as R&D President of a major pharmaceutical company. When the opportunity was presented to become PepsiCo’s first-ever Chief Scientific Officer, I was intrigued. Upon meeting with Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo chairman and CEO, I knew that combined with the companies strengths and vision I could make a unique contribution to one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies. PepsiCo is a global company truly committed to making a positive impact on the world’s population faced with serious nutrition challenges, including under-nutrition and obesity. Every day, we act on that commitment through the wide variety of products we offer, the public-private partnerships we lead and engage with and the global health initiatives we actively... Read more

At PepsiCo, we believe that it is our responsibility to understand the diverse nutrition needs of populations around the world and to offer a wide range of food, snacks and beverages that address those needs. To do that, we’re changing the way we innovate. Our overall goal is to deliver more nutrition per calorie in the products we offer and we’re acting on that commitment. The good news is that our products begin with natural goodness – oats, wheat, potatoes, lentils, oranges, apples, nuts and seeds. Think about it. We make some of the world’s favorite brands: Tropicana orange juice and Quaker Oats oatmeal in many countries across the globe, SunChips multi-grain snacks in the U.S., Stila oat and fruit bars in Mexico, Lebedyansky juice in Russia, and we’re the largest seller of packaged nuts and seeds outside the U.S. We’re working to deliver healthier nutrition per calorie... Read more