Consumers are more focused on functional nutrition than ever. Tara Glasgow, chief science officer and executive vice president of R&D at PepsiCo, discusses how the company is using science-backed innovation to meet evolving consumer preferences.

1. First things first: Consumer demand for functional nutrition has accelerated over the past decade. Why did functional nutrition become a priority for PepsiCo, not just a trend to watch?

Glasgow: Functional nutrition and nutrient density are moving mainstream. As consumer preferences, advances in nutritional science and new technologies converge in more powerful ways, emerging science enables targeted, personalized benefits — allowing our R&D experts to develop new recipes that deliver these ingredients with great taste.

It's exciting to see this momentum and even more exciting to see PepsiCo leaning into this space with real intentionality, leading with science-backed functionality and consumer-centered innovation.

2. The details: What does "being science-led" look like in terms of product development, and how do you ensure that a product delivers on its functional claim?

Glasgow: Being science-led means building products from the start with:

• Strong research.
• Consumer insights.
• Rigorous testing.

At PepsiCo, our teams across nutrition science, formulation, regulatory, and safety work together to make sure ingredients are backed by evidence and deliver functional ingredients in a way consumers can trust.

• We look at everything, from how an ingredient performs in the product to whether it tastes great and fits into people's lives. In the end, it's about pairing scientific rigor with products people will genuinely enjoy.

3. On the other hand:What's the most challenging aspect of balancing taste and function?

Glasgow: What most people don't realize is how much science and iteration it takes to make functionality taste great. Functional ingredients can significantly impact flavor, texture, aroma and even appearance — so developing products that deliver functionality and are enjoyable experiences is incredibly complex.

Our teams are continually testing, optimizing and sometimes pulling back in product development. When we get it right, the science that made it possible fades into the background — and all the consumer notices is that it tastes great and fits into their life.

4. A challenge:What's unique about delivering foods and drinks with functional ingredients at PepsiCo's scale?

Glasgow: Our scale fundamentally changes what's possible. With more than 2,500 scientists across 19 R&D centers globally who work with leading nutritionists and chefs, we're able to:

• Pressure‑test ideas rigorously.
• Validate the science holds up in real-world conditions.
• Translate that knowledge into products that reach millions of people — not just early adopters.

PepsiCo can deliver real-world relevance with beloved brands that also have global reach. Ultimately, our scale allows us to move beyond claims and deliver functional nutrition that's accessible, consistent and trusted.

5. The goal: How do these foods and drinks fit into a broader functional nutrition strategy — what is differentiating them from just being individual product launches?

Glasgow: This isn't about a few standalone foods or drinks, it reflects a broader shift in how we innovate across the portfolio.

We're intentionally building functional ingredients and nutrient density into foods and drinks people already know and love, whether it's functional hydration, protein-forward offerings or incorporating fiber and whole grains into foods you already enjoy.

• What ties it all together is a focus on clear, science-backed functionality that feels relevant and fits into everyday life. That's what makes this bigger than any one product.

6. Looking ahead: What's the next wave of functional nutrition that consumers aren't fully aware of yet?

Glasgow: Functional nutrition is moving from a niche destination to something far more mainstream — and much more thoughtful. What best captures where functional nutrition is headed is consumer-led, science‑driven innovation that delivers targeted, meaningful value at scale, while still tasting great.

• That's the work we're focused on, and it's what will ultimately define success in this space.

Shaping the future of functional nutrition isn't about one food or beverage or one claim. It's about raising the bar for the entire category by making it human-centered, evidence-based, and accessible.

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