Prime (drink)

Prime is a carbonated soft drink that was first introduced in the United States in the early 1970s by the Royal Crown Cola Company. It was marketed as a "premium" cola that was smoother and less sweet than other colas on the market at the time.

History

Prime was first introduced in the early 1970s by the Royal Crown Cola Company as a competitor to other popular colas such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi. It was marketed as a "premium" cola that was smoother and less sweet than other colas on the market at the time.

Despite a successful launch, Prime faced tough competition from established cola brands and was eventually discontinued in the mid-1970s. The brand was briefly revived in the 1990s, but was again discontinued due to poor sales.

In 2014, Prime was relaunched by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group as a "throwback" beverage, featuring retro packaging and the original formula from the 1970s. The relaunch was initially marketed exclusively in the southeastern United States, but has since expanded to other regions.

Flavor

Prime is described as having a smoother, less sweet flavor than other colas. Its recipe includes kola nut extract, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, natural and artificial flavors, and citric acid.

Marketing

When it was first introduced in the 1970s, Prime was marketed as a premium cola that was less sweet than other colas on the market at the time. Its advertising campaign featured the slogan "Prime has a taste that's smoother, less sweet."

In its 2014 relaunch, Prime was marketed as a "throwback" beverage, featuring retro packaging and the original formula from the 1970s. Its advertising campaign emphasized the nostalgia of the brand and its history as a premium, less-sweet cola.

Availability

Prime is currently available in select regions of the United States, primarily in the southeastern states. It is sold in cans and bottles in grocery stores and convenience stores. It is also available in fountain drink form at some restaurants and fast food chains.

Controversy

In 2015, Prime was involved in controversy when it was discovered that it contained brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a synthetic chemical that is banned in several countries due to health concerns. BVO is added to some soft drinks to keep the ingredients from separating, but it has been linked to a range of health issues including neurological problems, thyroid dysfunction, and skin lesions.

Following the discovery, Dr Pepper Snapple Group announced that it would remove BVO from all its products, including Prime. The company also stated that the levels of BVO in Prime were well below the limits set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and that the ingredient was approved for use in the United States.

Trivia

In the 1980s, Prime was briefly featured in the television series Miami Vice as the preferred drink of the character Sonny Crockett, played by Don Johnson. Prime has been mentioned in several popular songs, including "Cola" by Lana Del Rey and "Wit Me" by T.I. featuring Lil Wayne.

See also

• List of defunct consumer brands

External links

Official website