ProNutro Discontinued In South Africa After PepsiCo Fails To Bring Back Original Taste

For generations, ProNutro has been a familiar sight in South African kitchen cupboards and breakfast bowls. But consumers hoping that the original recipe would eventually return will now have to say goodbye to the iconic cereal altogether.

PepsiCo confirmed the decision on Wednesday, 23 September, following a review of the reformulated product and attempts to recreate the experience associated with the original ProNutro. The company said it ultimately could not reproduce the taste and texture that consumers knew and loved.

Why PepsiCo Changed The ProNutro Recipe

The announcement comes just months after PepsiCo launched what it called New Generation ProNutro, introducing changes to the cereal's recipe, texture and packaging.

The new formulation was intended to keep the product available while maintaining its nutritional benefits and using a production process that PepsiCo said was more environmentally sustainable. The cereal was also promoted as more versatile, allowing consumers to enjoy it traditionally or mix it into a shake.

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The April 2026 reformulation included a substantial reduction in total sugar. At the time, nutritional information showed the new recipe contained 11.9g of total sugar per 100g, compared with 21.6g under the previous formulation — a reduction of about 45%.

PepsiCo had also previously pointed to ageing infrastructure and unreliable equipment performance as factors behind the processing changes, saying the existing system could eventually affect product quality.

Consumers Wanted The Old ProNutro Back

The changes quickly became a talking point among long-time ProNutro consumers, with complaints focusing particularly on the cereal's taste, texture and ability to mix properly.

PepsiCo acknowledged the reaction and said it investigated whether it could restore the original product experience.

“After launch, some consumers told us the new product experience was not what they expected from ProNutro, particularly in relation to taste, texture and mixability,” the company said.

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“We listened and explored options to bring back the original product experience, but we were unable to recreate the taste and texture consumers associated with the original ProNutro.”

That attempt has now ended with the decision to discontinue the cereal in South Africa.

ProNutro's 64-Year South African Legacy Comes To An End

PepsiCo said the decision followed a “long and careful review”, while thanking consumers who had supported the brand over the years.

“After a long and careful review, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue ProNutro in South Africa. We are grateful for the support consumers have shown the brand over many years,” the company said.

ProNutro was launched in South Africa in 1962 and has spent 64 years as a recognised breakfast brand. Its history is also linked to efforts to address protein deficiency and malnutrition, with the product becoming known as a high-protein cereal.

Over the decades, the range expanded beyond the original product to include flavours such as chocolate, banana and strawberry. The discontinuation now brings an end to the cereal's run on South African shelves, following the failed attempt to recreate the original product experience.

For consumers who grew up with ProNutro as part of their morning routine, the latest announcement means the debate over whether the “old” ProNutro would return has finally been settled — it will not.