September 2, 2010
September—for the very first time—is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. With unanimity, Congress has declared it so. The goal is to increase awareness and mobilize Americans to become healthier.
Get informed. Get connected. Get involved. That’s the message on the “Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures” website. There, families and individuals can learn how taking even small steps can make a big difference in their lives. National, state and local leaders, as well as businesses and organizations, are encouraged to observe the month.
We at Sip & Savor are proud to be one of the organizations supporting the congressional resolution. We salute the prime sponsors, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., . By putting the spotlight on the issue for a whole month, the supporters also hope to maximize the impact of programs, activities and messages about childhood obesity and how to develop healthier lives. In fact, President Obama also has issued a National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month proclamation, urging all Americans to take actions to meet the goal of solving the childhood obesity problem within a generation.
America’s non-alcoholic beverage industry is also doing its part to help reduce childhood obesity. Under the national School Beverage Guidelines, our member companies have removed full-calorie soft drinks and replaced them with lower-calorie, nutritious and smaller-portion beverage options. As a result, beverage calories shipped to schools have been reduced by a dramatic 88 percent since 2004. But, our member companies aren’t just stopping there – they’ve also come together with a Clear on Calories labeling initiative, committing to clearly display the calories in all of their beverages on the front of the can or bottle as well as on company-controlled vending machines and fountain equipment. This means that within two years every time consumers touch one of our beverages they will have the calorie information at their fingertips at every point of purchase.
We all need to be engaged to promote and practice healthy lifestyles and we congratulate parents for the hard work they do in helping teach children about the importance of balanced nutrition and exercise. And we encourage all Americans to learn more about the importance of balancing “calories in” with “calories out.”
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Brighter Futures, Clear on Calories, Healthier Kids, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, President Obama, Rep. Marcia Fudge, School Beverage Guidelines, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
Comments
September 1, 2010
It’s the beginning of September, and here at Sip & Savor we are very excited to know that a break in the 80 and 90 degree heat is just around the corner. And with football season kicking into gear, we are looking forward to the beginning of the transition into fall.
But, even with cooler temperatures and less time outdoors, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right and getting in some physical activity. And of course, when you are out and about or working out, don’t forget to stay hydrated! Check out the hydration section of our website for more information.
Also, here’s another reminder that you can check in with us on Twitter and Facebook. We update beverage industry facts and other information regularly. So, follow us and you might just find some interesting information!
Category: Hydration, News & Media
Tags: Facebook, Hydration, Twitter
Comments
August 31, 2010
We’ve shared with you the statistics. And we’re sure you’ve heard that unemployment is the reality for far too many Americans. The economy is showing little sign of recovery and families are dipping into their 401Ks just to meet their mortgage payments.
Americans have been taking a big hit over the past few years. And as you’d expect, they’ve been sitting around their kitchen tables, looking everywhere for savings in the family budget. It may come as a surprise to you, then, that local and state governments across the country have only become more creative in their approaches to raise tax dollars – including proposing new taxes on groceries like soft drinks, juices, flavored waters and other beverages.
Late last week, Damien Hoffman, co-founder of Wall St. Cheat Sheet, spoke to Yahoo! Finance about the erosion of the middle class. He discussed how dipping into retirement accounts, or “living off of principle,” for essentials like groceries is only becoming more widespread.
Even so, we continue to see examples of tax proposals that show politicians just aren’t feeling the pain that many Americans are facing each and every day. As we mentioned in earlier posts, New York, for example, began enforcing a sliced bagel tax. And there’s a prepared foods tax in Minnesota that affects cheese prices, as we discussed here last week.
As Hoffman put it, after feeling so much financial strain, an increase in taxes on consumers will result in “less money that’s even going to be available for them to put their kids through college,” or “save for their 401Ks.” American families have the power to get us out of this recession. To do so, though, they need a break – not new taxes.
Category: Taxes
Tags: Damien Hoffman, middle class, Soda Taxes, Taxes, Wall Street Cheat Sheet
Comments
August 30, 2010
In many communities across the country, school is now back in session. So, we thought we’d take this time to remind our readers about our industry’s national School Beverage Guidelines.
Our member companies have delivered on a national commitment to change the beverage mix in schools. By removing full-calorie soft drinks and replacing them with a variety of lower-calorie, nutritious and smaller-portion choices, our member companies have decreased beverage calories in schools by 88 percent since 2004! We’re proud to say that this voluntary commitment is having a meaningful impact as parents across the country prepare to send their children back to school.
You may recall our television ad from earlier this year. Also, if you have more questions about the School Beverage Guidelines, check out our Q & A section.
We wish all of the returning students good luck this school year! And remember to check out the new beverage options on your campus!
Category: Nutrition & Health, School Beverage Guidelines
Tags: School, School Beverage Guidelines, School Vending
Comments
August 27, 2010
Here at Sip & Savor, we’ve pointed out how taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are ineffective and discriminatory. And they are a particularly bad idea given that families are heavily burdened and already struggling through a down economy. Not to mention the thousands of good-paying jobs with good health benefits throughout the country that would be put at risk during a time when our nation still faces double-digit unemployment.
Earlier this week, we caught this Forbes Blog piece written by Janet Novack which explores the absurdity of some taxes that have come to the forefront in recent months. Taxability of your bagel in New York depends on if it is sliced, and, in Minnesota, new tax guidelines were released this year to discern taxable prepared food from tax-exempt food ingredients. We’re having trouble understanding all of this ourselves, so have a look at Novack’s piece and let us know what you think!
The truth is that Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the role of government. It’s a concern that is bigger than politics and spans generational gaps and other differences. A substantial population in this country believes that our government is overreaching its bounds and intruding too much in our lives. Unfortunately for lawmakers, the Forbes piece exposes these chaotic schemes for what they are – a money grab to help pay for bigger government.
Don’t forget to check in with us on Twitter and Facebook for more information!
Category: News & Media, Taxes
Tags: Facebook, Forbes, Janet Novack, Twitter
Comments
August 26, 2010
Every once in a while we find an important reason to deviate just a bit from writing about our industry, its products and issues. Today is one of those instances as today is Women’s Equality Day. We at Sip & Savor thought we’d share a little information about this significant day that commemorates the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution – albeit from a D.C. point-of-view.
First a bit of history, August 26 was designated Women’s Equality Day back in 1971, at the request of U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug, D-N.Y., to acknowledge women’s suffrage. Women have come a long way since the days of Alice Paul and the 72-year fight for voting rights. So it’s a good time to remind everyone about the importance of voting, especially as we approach the mid-term election cycle.
It’s also worth recognizing a few things about our female elected and appointed officials, as noted by the National Organization of Women:
- There are more women than ever before serving in both chambers of the United States Congress
- There are currently 17 women senators, 74 representatives and 8 state governors
- With the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, there are now three women serving on the court at the same time for the first time in history
For a look at the women’s suffrage movement, you can learn a great deal by checking out the website of the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, an institution on Capitol Hill that celebrates women’s progress toward equality and is owned and maintained by the National Woman’s Party. In fact, it’s definitely worth a visit if you are in the nation’s capitol – to see the historic photographs alone.
Every once in a while we find an important reason to deviate just a bit from writing about our industry, its products and issues. Today is one of those instances as today is Women’s Equality Day. We at Sip & Savor thought we’d share a little information about this significant day that commemorates the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution – albeit from a D.C. point-of-view.
First a bit of history, August 26 was designated Women’s Equality Day back in 1971, at the request of U.S. Rep. Bella Abzug, D-N.Y., to acknowledge women’s suffrage. Women have come a long way since the days of Alice Paul and the 72-year fight for voting rights. So it’s a good time to remind everyone about the importance of voting, especially as we approach the mid-term election cycle.
It’s also worth recognizing a few things about our female elected and appointed officials, as noted by the National Organization of Women:
· There are more women than ever before serving in both chambers of the United States Congress
· There are currently 17 women senators, 74 representatives and 8 state governors
· With the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, there are now three women serving on the court at the same time for the first time in history
For a look at the women’s suffrage movement, you can learn a great deal by checking out the website of the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, an institution on Capitol Hill that celebrates women’s progress toward equality and is owned and maintained by the National Woman’s Party. In fact, it’s definitely worth a visit if you are in the nation’s capitol – to see the historic photographs alone.
Category: History
Tags: Alice Paul, Bella Abzug, Elena Kagan, National Organization of Women, National Woman's Party, NOW, Sewall-Belmont House, Suffrage, Women's Equality Day
Comments
August 25, 2010
Durand?
Yes, Peter Durand.
Two hundred years ago today, King George III awarded Englishman Peter Durand a patent for preserving food in tinplate vessels. Just think how that invention changed the world – for Napoleon’s armies, pioneer families heading west, shipmates at sea and generations of families around the globe.
In fact, it was Napoleon who jumpstarted the can revolution. According to the Can Manufacturers Institute, the French government offered a 12,000 franc award in hopes that the brightest and best could find a way to preserve food and save armies from hunger and scurvy. Nicholas Appert did just that by partially cooking the food, sealing it in bottles with cork stoppers and surrounding the bottles with boiling water. Durand’s groundbreaking achievement followed.
We at Sip & Savor particularly note the arrival of aluminum beverage cans on grocery store shelves in 1965. And we’re proud to say that America’s non-alcoholic beverage industry is committed to using products and containers that meet or exceed all government health, safety and quality standards. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and quality of our products and their packaging.
Today, we salute two innovators who made a difference that lives on.
And if you haven’t figured out all the ways in which the can transformed the world, check out the cover story earlier this week for The Washington Post’s Style section, “Change the world? Can do. On its 200th birthday, this humble bit of tin should shine.”
Category: Innovation, Packaging
Tags: American Beverage Association, Can Manufacturers Institute, Peter Durand, Washington Post
Comments
August 24, 2010
Oftentimes, media outlets latch on to the scientific study of the day, many of which focus on our industry’s products and ingredients. In fact, quite a few of the studies that get mainstream attention tend to be the ones that allege negative health outcomes associated with certain beverage ingredients. We’ve heard them all – from tooth decay to gout, diabetes to kidney stones. Today, we thought we’d share some ingredient safety facts with our Sip & Savor readers.
One ingredient in the food supply that often finds itself in the news is caffeine, which is present in many soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas and energy drinks. Despite some alleged concerns, caffeine has been proven safe for human consumption and has been a part of the human diet for more than 100 years. We do recognize that some people are caffeine-sensitive, however. That’s why many of our member companies also make a variety of non-caffeinated beverage options.
Another ingredient securing headlines now and again is low-calorie sweeteners. Whether to maintain weight, help manage diabetes or simply because you enjoy the taste, low-calorie sweeteners offer consumers yet another way to enjoy their favorite beverages. As with caffeine, low-calorie sweeteners also have been tested extensively are are completely safe. Numerous studies validate their safety, and they have obtained approval from regulatory agencies around the world, including the World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). And in 2007, a literature review of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame by an expert panel including some of the world’s leading toxicologists also evaluated the ingredient’s safety at current levels of consumption and once again confirmed that it is safe.
And finally, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This liquid sweetener is made from corn and is similar to sucrose – or table sugar – in composition. In fact, both HFCS and sucrose are processed by the body in essentially the same way – both are broken down into the simple sugars glucose and fructose during digestion.
So it’s important to remember that beverage ingredients are safe. After all, our industry is committed to its consumers – and our top priority is to ensure the quality and safety of our products through rigorous food safety procedures.
Please visit our Products Issue Site or Beverage Ingredient sections for more detailed information on what goes into our products.
Category: Nutrition & Health
Tags: Beverage Ingredients, Caffeine, HFCS, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Low-calorie Sweeteners, Sucrose
Comments
August 23, 2010
We’re Clearly Labeling Calorie Content of Our Products:
Our member companies are continuing to lead the way. This time, it’s with a bold new initiative. America’s leading beverage companies have committed to clearly display the calories in all our beverages on the front of the can or bottle as well as on our vending and fountain machines. This means that within two years, every time consumers touch one of our beverages they will have the calorie information at their fingertips. Clear on Calories was first announced in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” anti-obesity initiative earlier this year, and consumers should look forward to seeing it on packages in the marketplace soon.
We’ve Cut Calories from Beverages in Schools:
With the School Beverage Guidelines, America’s leading beverage companies have delivered on a national commitment which removed full-calorie soft drinks from schools across the country. There are now 88 percent fewer calories from beverages in America’s schools as a result of this effort! We’re proud to say that this voluntary commitment is having a meaningful impact as parents across the country prepare to send their children back to school.
Category: Clear on Calories, School Beverage Guidelines
Tags: America, Calories, Clear on Calories, First Lady, Let's Move!, Michelle Obama, School Beverage Guidelines
Comments
August 20, 2010
Low-calorie sweeteners are, quite simply, one of those ingredient categories whose safety continues to come under scrutiny – albeit unwarranted. When their safety – or alleged lack thereof – is then linked to pregnant women, all kinds of concern can be raised. No one wants to hear that future generations “may” be impacted by a simple sip of diet soda! Thankfully, that’s just not the case – based on science and fact, rather than emotion. But the latest study of the day is just that – yet another study to garner some media attention and cause unnecessary concern. So let’s put the rumor of the day to rest: Pregnant women should rest assured that diet beverages are safe – for them and their yet-to-be-born offspring.
A recent study out of Denmark looked at just over 59,000 Danish pregnant women, and alleges that their consumption of diet beverages increased risk of pre-term delivery. Sounds really scary, doesn’t it? Well, here are a few things you should know about this study:
- The authors even acknowledge that their study – which is observational in nature – DOES NOT and CANNOT show cause and effect.
- They also note that the alleged association between diet beverages and premature delivery was ‘primarily driven by medically induced delivery’ and that further research is needed.
And here are a few things to remember about low-calorie sweeteners:
But the best advice of all – if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant – is to seek out, consult with and heed the advice of your health care provider. After all, the key to a healthy pregnancy is seeking good medical care and having a healthy lifestyle – before and during pregnancy.
Category: Nutrition & Health
Tags: American Diabetes Association, American Dietetic Association, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Danish pregnant women, Diet Beverages, EFSA, European Food Safety Authority, FDA, Food and Drug Administration, Low-calorie Sweeteners, Pregnancy
Comments
