India is experiencing increased consumption of sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks, consumption that may be associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the availability, price and quantity sold of ‘Pepsi’ and ‘Coca Cola’ in their ‘regular’ and ‘diet’ forms in Delhi and London.

A questionnaire about the availability, price and quantity sold per day of both regular and diet Pepsi and Coca Cola was devised and piloted. Using this, a survey of food and drink outlets within a 100 m radius of randomly selected Metro stations was conducted in both cities.

Store vendors, owners and staff of food and drink outlets.

Delhi, India; London, United Kingdom.

In Delhi, of the outlets stocking regular Pepsi and Coca Cola, only 34 % sold diet versions and these were more readily available in the most affluent areas than in the poorest areas (34 % v. 6 %, Z = 3·67, P < 0·001). This social patterning was not observed in London. Little price differential between regular and diet versions of Pepsi and Coca Cola was observed in Delhi; however, profit margins were better for regular, relative to diet, Coca Cola. Sales of regular products were significantly greater than those of diet products (P < 0·002).

Low availability of diet versions of Pepsi and Coca Cola in less affluent areas of Delhi is likely to exacerbate the obesity and diabetes trends. Price differentials to promote diet versions and other healthier or traditional low-energy drinks may be beneficial.