Consumers have expressed doubts about the authenticity of Pepsi and other beverages produced by Seven-Up Bottling Company after the drinks appeared in the market with yellow bottle caps.
The packaging change, which affects Pepsi, Mirinda, 7UP, Teem and Supa Komando, has sparked criticism of the company’s communication strategy, with buyers questioning why they were not informed before the products reached retailers.
The issue gained public attention after a LinkedIn user, Okafor Gambo, posted a photograph of a Pepsi bottle with a yellow cap on October 13, asking the manufacturer to confirm whether the new packaging was genuine.
Gambo said he had contacted the company privately without receiving a response, prompting him to raise the matter publicly. He warned that consumers needed clarity to avoid purchasing potentially counterfeit products.
Seven-Up Bottling Company responded on October 14, explaining that the yellow caps were part of a new initiative covering its plastic-bottled beverages. It assured customers that the drinks contained the same products with their familiar taste, adding that further details would be announced later.
The explanation, however, did little to settle concerns among some consumers, who argued that the company should have announced the change before introducing the bottles into the market.
One commenter, Nnamdi Gabriel, questioned why the manufacturer waited until consumers raised concerns before clarifying the development.
Another user, Margaret Ejiro-Edoja, said advance communication was necessary to protect consumer confidence and support informed purchasing decisions, particularly amid concerns about counterfeit goods.
Some buyers also reported avoiding the affected products because they could not immediately establish whether the new packaging was authentic. Raphael Echiye said he and four other people had declined to buy Pepsi after encountering the yellow-capped bottles.
The concerns extended to social media platforms, including X and Facebook, where customers sought confirmation from Pepsi Nigeria.
On October 9, an X user, Adeleke Ifeoluwa, asked the company to verify a Pepsi bottle with a yellow cap. The company replied that the bottles contained the same Pepsi consumers were familiar with and hinted at an upcoming initiative.
Seven-Up Bottling Company subsequently published a statement on LinkedIn, saying the change was intended to create fresh ways to engage customers and enhance their experience with its brands.
Despite the clarification, some consumers maintained that the announcement came too late, arguing that changes to product packaging should be communicated before distribution begins.
One Facebook user, Godfrey Daniel, recounted buying four packs of the yellow-capped Pepsi for someone who later rejected them because of doubts about their authenticity. Another user, Prince Adeniti, said he initially suspected that a bottle with the new cap was counterfeit.
The reactions highlight the importance of clear and timely communication by manufacturers when introducing visible changes to familiar products, especially in a market where concerns about fake goods can influence consumer trust and purchasing behaviour.
