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PepsiCo Inc on Wednesday made its biggest bet in the energy drinks market with a US$3.85 billion deal to buy Rockstar Energy Beverages, opening a new front in its long-running battle with Coca-Cola Co.

The deal is also the latest move by PepsiCo’s new chief executive officer, Ramon Laguarta, to reduce the company’s dependence on its core sugary drinks and salty snacks, which have been increasingly shunned by health-conscious consumers.

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Pepsi last July announced the acquisition of South African maker of cereal and fruit juice Pioneer Food Group, a few months after closing its $3.2 billion buyout of carbonated drink-machine maker SodaStream.

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The Rockstar deal comes about two months after Coca-Cola, which owns a stake in Monster Beverage Co, rolled out Coke-branded energy drinks in the United States, after launching in European markets last year.

PepsiCo, which already distributes Rockstar products in some markets, has a smaller presence in the energy space with its Mountain Dew Kickstart and Mountain Dew Game Fuel brands.