Diet Rite

Diet Rite was introduced in 1954 and initially released as a dietetic product, but was introduced nationwide and marketed to the general public as a healthful beverage in 1962. The original formula was sweetened with cyclamate and saccharin.^[1] After cyclamate was banned in 1969, it was removed from the product. NutraSweet brand aspartame was added upon its introduction to the market, and in 1987 the saccharin was replaced entirely with the complete elimination of caffeine. In the 1990s, several fruit-flavored varieties of Diet Rite were introduced.

In 2000, the line was reformulated yet again, this time to replace aspartame with Splenda brand sucralose and Sunett brand acesulfame potassium. It became the first major diet soda in the United States to use neither aspartame nor saccharin as a sweetener. In 2005, "Pure Zero" was added to the name, and a cherry cola flavor was introduced in 2006.

The soda was discontinued in late 2024 and today it is still owned by Keurig Dr Pepper.^[2]

• Diet Rite Pure Zero Cola: The classic, caffeine-free diet cola.
• Diet Rite Pure Zero Red Raspberry: A highly popular, sweet, and fruity option.
• Diet Rite Pure Zero White Grape: A light, fruity flavor.
• Diet Rite Pure Zero Tangerine: A bright citrus option.
• Diet Rite Pure Zero Black Cherry: A deep, cherry-flavored soda.
• Diet Rite Pure Zero Cherry Cola: A blend of classic cola and cherry.

In the early 1960s The Paris Sisters sang a jingle for a Diet Rite television commercial, with the line "Stay thin with the best-tasting cola of all!".^[3]