With the aim to strengthen its non-carbonated health drinks range, Coca-Cola India rolled out its ready-to-drink iced-tea brand Nestea in the Mumbai market.

The newly launched drink will be made national by the coming year.

While its sparkling drinks segment comprised brands such as Coca-Cola, Limca, Fanta, Thums Up and water biz Kinley make up for the major portion of the biz in the country, non-carbonated beverages are hopeful to support the growth next portion.

Ricardo Fort, vice-president, marketing, Coca-Cola India, stated plowing ahead the proportion of sales contribution from well-known drinks and from non-carbonated drinks will witness a transformation; and also will the biz contribution from the country to the international sales.

"India currently figures in the top 10 businesses for The Coca-Cola Company and will be among the top 5 in coming years," Fort said.

During the last twelve months, Coca-Cola has introduced Minute Maid Nimbu Fresh, Minute Maid Apple, energy drink Burn and Mixed Fruit juices, and milk-based mango drink Maaza Milky Delite, which is being test-marketed in Kolkata.

In contrast, rival PepsiCo India has been equally determined on launching health-based and non-carbonated drinks.

In the existing year, Tata Global Beverages and PepsiCo inked a JV deal in order to formulate non-carbonated drinks for the country.

Coca-Cola is making up Nestea at its arm Hindustan Coca-Cola's bottling facility at Atmakuru in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh and primarily introducing it in 400ml stock-keeping unit (SKU) at a cost of Rs 25 at 8,000 outlets in the Mumbai market.

Besides, Coca-Cola Co. has altered the conditions of a cash tender plan for specific series of outstanding arrears securities issued by the company and bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

The said offers were originally set to terminate on Nov 15 and Dec 6, respectively. The company has lengthened the dates to Nov. 22 and Dec. 14.