Coke gets on anti-obesity trail: Curb on under-12 ads, calories shown
Coca-Cola announced today that it will start showing calorie information on all packages - and won’t advertise to children under 12 anywhere.
Calories WILL be shown, says Coke
The moves come as as the world’s largest soft-drink maker fights criticism that it is contributing to obesity, Bloomberg reported.
The plan includes supporting physical activity programmes and will apply to more than 200 countries, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola said in a statement.
Coca-Cola is also aiming for low- and no-calorie options in emerging markets. No target dates were set for the initiatives.
Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent discussed the company's engagement in the anti-obesity debate with Erik Schatzker on Bloomberg Television's "The Pulse" at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Kent has been working to knock the idea that the soft-drink maker contributes to America’s obesity epidemic.
Earlier this year Coke introduced advertisements highlighting the company’s low- and zero-calorie products - and suggested people pay attention to how many calories they consume in order to manage their weight.
“People in these countries are going to be aware of these health issues so Coke wants to be prepared,” analyst Jack Russo told Bloomberg. “The regulators and governments are going to get more involved with this entire issue.”
Earlier this year, New York City challenged a ruling throwing out Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban sales of soda drinks over 16oz, calling the plan “contrary to law.”
Groups representing beverage makers, restaurants and theatres asked the court to end the regulation, citing “unprecedented interference.”