PEPSI Cola has introduced a new “low-cost” bottled water in Jamaica, produced at its new $10- million manufacturing plant in Kingston.

The company noted yesterday that wholesalers and large customer companies already have the new product, branded Crystal Punch, that hit the market on May 1. By November all leading wholesalers in Jamaica will have it available, said Pepsi.

The sleek 500ml bottle is being retailed at a suggested price of $600 per case (24 bottles).

According to Miguel Alameda, commercial director of Pepsi Cola Jamaica, the idea for Crystal Punch came out of the expansion of the plant.

“Through our expansion we have the capacity to fill 60,000 to 70,000 cases. Consumers should have water at the lowest price and a team to deliver one that is best for the company and the customers,” Alameda said.

“With this bottle, we are using the least amount of plastic of all our products. Apart from being environmentally friendly, it is the cheapest and purest water on the market. We realise the financial challenges being faced by our consumers and we want to ensure that they are still able to enjoy crisp, clean drinking water, so we introduced Crystal Punch,” he added.

The product is being mass marketed and will be funnelled through the extensive Pepsi distribution network.

“Our original water, Aqua Essential, will remain on the market. We are going in a different direction with Crystal Punch, making it available to and affordable to everyone based on price point,” Alameda disclosed.