<p>The Coca-Cola Co. said Monday it will begin selling Diet Coke sweetened with sugar substitute Splenda in the spring.</p><p>Diet Coke with Splenda will have a distinct label with the name of the sweetener on it as well as a yellow streak. The world's largest beverage maker will continue to sell traditional Diet Coke, which is flavored with aspartame, separately.</p><p>Diet Coke with Splenda is expected to be launched in the second quarter, the Atlanta-based company said in a statement.</p><p>The launch follows Coke's rollout of other flavors of Diet Coke, including lime, lemon, cherry and vanilla.</p><p>Offering more varieties is part of the beverage giant's effort to boost sales in North America.</p><p>Splenda has grown in popularity since its introduction in 2000, appearing in everything from soda and ice cream to candy and jams. Demand for it has been spurred by a surge in anti-sugar diets such as Atkins and South Beach.</p><p>Splenda is sold to consumers as a table and baking sugar substitute by McNeil Nutritionals, a Pennsylvania-based unit of Johnson & Johnson.</p><p>Coca-Cola shares rose 3 cents to $42.50 in morning trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x286678c)</p><p>HASH(0x2865844)</p>
