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NEW YORK, May 24 (AFP) - Coca-Cola announced plans Monday for a new low-carbohydrate cola dubbed C2, aimed to capitalize on the latest diet craze.
The company said the new drink has half the carbohydrates, calories and sugar of regular cola, and "all the great taste" of Coca-Cola.
"We're responding again to what our consumers are telling us they want," said Don Knauss, president and chief operating officer, Coca-Cola North America.
"Today's consumers are looking for choices that fit their lifestyles. They want to keep enjoying the special cola taste that Coca-Cola delivers, but with the option of a lower-carb, lower-cal soft drink. Coca-Cola C2 gives that freedom of choice."
Samples are being given this week in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Miami, the company said, hoping to get 12 million US consumer to taste the new product.
The new brand will begin showing up on store shelves across the US in early June. Coca-Cola C2 was first unveiled to consumers in Japan on May 18, and will be available there on June 7.
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