Wegmans to stop selling its ‘W’ store brand soda

Wegmans is discontinuing its store brand soda, known for its “W” logo and cheaper prices than name brand equivalents like Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew and Sprite.

WROC reports the Upstate New York grocery store chain posted a sign at its Rochester location informing customers it will no longer sell Wegmans soda because they contain aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. The company said ingredients in its soft drinks, also known as “pop” in Western New York and other parts of the U.S., do not fit with its “Food You Feel Good About” motto.

“Our Food You Feel Good About® banner stands for no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. We are discontinuing Wegmans Brand Soda because it contains artificial ingredients like aspartame and high fructose corn syrup. We are committed to our mission of helping customers live healthier, better lives through exceptional food, and we want you to feel confident in our Wegmans Brand products,” the sign said. “We will not be producing any additional Wegmans Brand soda, and anticipate selling through our current inventory within the next week.”

“W” soda launched in 1991, according to The Post-Standard archives, and was a mainstay in the company’s stores for more than three decades. It was a cheaper product for consumers, and more profitable for Wegmans as a private label that didn’t require mass marketing.

Wegmans soda was also immortalized in product appearances on “The Office,” the popular NBC TV show set in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Wegmans, headquartered in Rochester, operates more than 100 stores in eight states and Washington, D.C. For 26 years in a row, the family-owned supermarket chain has made Fortune’s list of the Best Companies to Work For, ranking No. 4 in April.

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