Beverage Industry Responds to Danish Study on Soda

"This is a Danish study of just 47 already overweight people, which the authors themselves acknowledge limits ‘the power' of their analysis. In fact, the findings cannot prove cause and effect, nor can they be applied to the public at-large.

Let's be clear - there is nothing unique about soda, whether sweetened with sucrose or HFCS, when it comes to obesity or other obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome. All this study shows is the need for controlling weight gain by balancing the calories we take in from all foods and beverages with those we burn through physical activity. Those are the keys to a balanced, healthy and active lifestyle."

Beverage Industry Responds to Health Affairs Paper on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Taxes

"Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages will not reduce obesity, nor will it have a truly meaningful impact on obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes or coronary disease. In fact, using assumptions based on ‘lacking or inconclusive' evidence, the authors estimate their proposed tax would result in an average weight loss of less than one pound per year - an insignificant amount for an obese person. Importantly, a wide range of factors contribute to these health conditions and singling out one set of products in such an overly simplistic manner only undermines efforts to combat them."

Beverage Industry Responds to Study on Calorie Information

"With our Clear on Calories initiative, the beverage industry is already providing calorie information at the fingertips of consumers. We agree that consumers should be armed with information about the calories contained in the foods and beverages they choose. By placing new calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce, we're helping consumers - especially parents - choose the beverage that is best for them and their families. This is an effort that supports First Lady Michelle Obama's ‘Let's Move!' campaign."