The manufacturer PepsiCo has officially announced the withdrawal of the iconic South African product ProNutro from sale. This decision was made after the company failed to recreate the taste and texture that consumers were familiar with and loved in the original version.
The announcement followed months after the company introduced 'New Generation ProNutro,' which included changes to the product's recipe, texture, and packaging.
In a statement published on Wednesday, PepsiCo emphasized that ProNutro has been part of daily life and family traditions in South Africa for many generations. Earlier this year, the company launched 'New Generation ProNutro' to keep the brand accessible to buyers while maintaining its nutritional properties and producing the product in a more environmentally friendly way.
However, the reformulated product drew criticism from some consumers, particularly regarding its taste and consistency. PepsiCo reported that after the launch, some buyers noted that the new experience did not meet expectations for ProNutro, specifically concerning taste, texture, and mixability.
The company stated that it carefully studied the feedback and sought ways to restore the original consumption experience but ultimately could not reproduce the taste and texture associated with the original ProNutro. After thorough analysis, PepsiCo made the difficult decision to discontinue the cereal in South Africa, thanking consumers for their long-term support of the brand.
The product withdrawal occurred after the launch of the new ProNutro recipe in April. PepsiCo promoted this new version as retaining the nutritional value of the cereal while offering a new consumer experience. Furthermore, the new product was designed to be more versatile and was advertised for both traditional consumption and mixing into shakes.
The changes triggered complaints among long-time ProNutro consumers regarding taste and texture. Previously, PepsiCo explained that the recipe adjustment was partly related to aging infrastructure and unreliable equipment operation, pointing to the need for updates in the production process to maintain product quality.