Pepsi did have a relationship with a company around 2011-12, Senomyx, that was using human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells not as a flavor enhancer, but rather to functionally approximate the work of taste-receptor cells (of the human mouth) so they could test huge numbers of flavoring substances without using human taste testers. Ultimately though, the above is a distinction without a real difference, though no HEK's were ever consumed by people. In 2012 PepsiCo informed Pro-Life groups that no longer were HEK or other cells from embryos or fetuses going to be used on behalf of PepsiCo.

All that said, Pepsi has had a pretty "woke" recent history of their own.

Pepsi did have a relationship with a company around 2011-12, Senomyx, that was using human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells not as a flavor enhancer, but rather to functionally approximate the work of taste-receptor cells (of the human mouth) so they could test huge numbers of flavoring substances without using human taste testers. Ultimately though, the above is a distinction without a real difference, though no HEK's were ever consumed by people. In 2012 PepsiCo informed Pro-Life groups that no longer were HEK or other cells from embryos or fetuses going to be used on behalf of PepsiCo.

All that said, Pepsi has a pretty "woke" recent history of their own.

Pepsi did have a relationship with a company around 2011-12, Senomyx, that was using human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells not as a flavor enhancer, but rather to functionally approximate the work of taste-receptor cells (of the human mouth) so they could test huge numbers of flavoring substances without using human taste testers. Ultimately though, the above is a distinction without a real difference, though no HEK's were ever consumed by people. In 2012 PepsiCo informed Pro-Life groups that no longer were HEK or other cells from embryos or fetuses going to be used on behalf of PepsiCo.