Approach

PepsiCo employs a large team of scientists, technologists and engineers who conduct research aiming to answer key questions about human nutrition and physiology, including the efficacy of current products and ingredients and potential future innovations. The Research and Development (R&D) function works to shape PepsiCo’s future by aiming to deliver innovation for its convenient foods and drinks portfolio and to develop solutions to systemic challenges in both nutrition and environmental sustainability. 

All of our global R&D locations strive to adhere to responsible research practices and apply high ethical standards in all aspects of their work. Our Life Sciences team conducts clinical research internally at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute laboratories, as well as with external partners like academic institutions or Contract Research Organizations. Our clinical studies are registered in the U.S. National Library of Medicine database (clinicaltrials.gov) and collected on our Health & Nutrition Sciences Publications database. Additionally, many of our study findings are published to peer-reviewed journals to advance science and share knowledge with the scientific community.

Recently there has been public attention concerning the susceptibility of research to biases of various kinds, with most attention to potential bias from industry funding of bio-medical and nutrition research. Adherence to ethical principles is essential in all branches of research. Only ethically sound research can achieve public acceptance and trust and demonstrate the integrity required of PepsiCo researchers in alignment with the PepsiCo Global Code of Conduct. To help ensure that our research will continue to be of high ethical quality, we developed the PepsiCo Position on Conduct of Scientific Research. It is shared with prospective external research partners prior to initiating academic and clinical research agreements. It also provides that PepsiCo’s sponsorship does not in any way change or seek to influence the outcome of any study that it funds. PepsiCo bars itself from editing, delaying or preventing a publication because of the outcome of the findings or results. We publicly disclose significant contributions to research- and life sciences-related groups annually in our Trade Associations and Policy Groups contributions disclosure.

PepsiCo does not conduct or fund research (including by third parties) that uses human tissue or cell lines derived from embryos or fetuses. Furthermore, in line with our Global Policy on Animal Welfare, we do not conduct animal tests with respect to our food and beverage products or ingredients, except when required by law to demonstrate safety or efficacy. We revise our clinical practices as necessary by reviewing and implementing industry guiding principles and best practices to be consistent with international standards such as the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guideline, which is endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. GCP is a process that incorporates established ethical and scientific quality standards for the design, conduct, recording and reporting of clinical research involving the participation of human subjects. Compliance with GCP provides public assurance that the rights, safety and well-being of research subjects are protected and respected, consistent with the principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki and other internationally-recognized ethical guidelines and ensures the integrity of clinical research data.