American Beverage Association Responds to HBO "The Weight of the Nation" Documentary Series

“We applaud HBO for producing a comprehensive documentary series that delves into the questions and concerns about obesity in America.  We agree that the complexity of obesity – both causes and solutions – is a serious topic that impacts individuals and policy makers. Our industry has taken voluntary steps to be part of meaningful solutions that will have a real and lasting impact when it comes to reducing obesity in America. However, it is disappointing that HBO narrowed the viewpoints in the documentary to those of certain health activists who advocate extreme policies and perpetuate inaccuracies and falsehoods about our industry and its beverages.”

Beverage Industry Responds to British Medical Journal 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.  There is a vast body of available science to support this.  For instance, a review by George Mason University researchers showed that even a 20 percent tax on soda would reduce an obese person’s Body Mass Index from 40 to 39.98 – an amount not even measurable on a bathroom scale. 

Singling out one set of products in such an overly simplistic manner only undermines efforts to combat this complex issue.  Consumers do not support these taxes and recognize them for what they truly are – a money grab to raise revenue.”  

American Beverage Association Responds to Latest Institute of Medicine Report

“Obesity is a serious public health issue facing our nation, and we all must work together to solve it.   We commend the Committee for their systematic analysis and for recognizing that physical activity plays an important role in a comprehensive solution.  However, advocating discriminatory policies that uniquely focus on sugar-sweetened beverages is the wrong approach. In fact, government data shows that sugar-sweetened beverages account for only 7 percent of the calories in the average American’s diet, and have been declining for more than a decade while obesity continued to rise. Focusing on a small and declining source of calories in the diet is a wrong-headed approach that distracts from meaningful solutions that promote healthier diets overall, as well as increased physical activity."