Coca-Cola has announced the unveiling of its flagship Coke sweetened with 100% Stevia sweetener in place of sugar in New Zealand, its chosen pilot market on 7 May 2018.

The company said the launch is evidence of its continued efforts to encourage people to consume less sugar.

Coca-Cola has been using Stevia, a plant-based sweetener that has zero calories with cane sugar in Coca-Cola Life which has 35% less calories than Classic Coke since 2013. It is now being marketed in 30 countries around the world. However, the challenge with Stevia has always been how to eliminate a bitter aftertaste which is why Coca-Cola Life is blended with sugar.