American Beverage Association

Sip & Savor - Recent Posts

January 26, 2012

Refresh and Recycle

If you’re a regular reader of Sip & Savor, then you know we like to share information about recycling.  After all, we care a great deal about our environment.  In fact, our industry’s containers are 100 percent recyclable – and we want to help you do your part to bring those containers “Full Circle.” But we also want to remind you that it’s important to recycle all recyclables, including newspapers and magazines; cardboard and paperboard; glass bottles and jars; aluminum foil (make sure it’s clean) and metal cans; plastic bags, bottles and containers; and more.

We hope you try to do your best to recycle no matter where you are – at home, on-the-go or at the office.  So find out what you can do to make recycling a part of your life, if it isn’t already. Find out if your community has a curbside recycling program.  A good place to start is by contacting your local department of recycling, transportation or sanitation.  Some cities also have public space recycling bins available on streets, in parks and in other locations to help you out when you’re on the move. And many office buildings have recycling requirements.  If your office doesn’t, try checking out Earth911.com for great tips on how to create a workplace recycling program.  Earth911.com also has a nifty tool to help you find out “what” you can recycle “where” by entering your location to find a recycling center.

Wherever you may be, we encourage you to “Think Inside the Bin.” And if you’d like to learn more about some examples of ABA member companies’ efforts to support and promote recycling in their businesses and among consumers, check out our news release from last year’s America Recycles Day.

We hope you find time to “refresh” – but when you do, please be sure to recycle.


Category: Environment, Recycling

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January 25, 2012

First Lady Lunches with Local Elementary School Students

Earlier today First Lady Michelle Obama joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., to announce the first major changes to the school lunch program in 15 years.  These changes come about as a result of the passage of the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010,” a significant piece of legislation that our industry supported.  In fact, we worked with members of Congress and a broad coalition of public health and education groups and others in the food and beverage industry to re-authorize the Child Nutrition Act.

The new school nutrition standards place restrictions on calories and will increase offerings of fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, while reducing saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.  While the changes will affect meals served to millions of children in school cafeterias across America only, we know that standards for competitive foods sold in schools are forthcoming as well.  This will include foods and beverages sold in vending machines.

If you’ve been a long-time reader of Sip & Savor, then you know that the health of our nation’s young people is something our industry is committed to and providing them nutritious food and beverage options in schools is something we all support. To that end, in early 2010 we announced that we had successfully implemented national School Beverage Guidelines that removed full-calorie soft drinks from all schools and replaced them with more low-calorie, smaller-portion options.  The result:  a dramatic 88 percent reduction in beverage calories shipped to schools.  In fact, the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010” points to our national School Beverage Guidelines as a set of guidelines to be considered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as it drafts new rules.   After all, the School Beverage Guidelines strike the right balance, are supported by parents and are a national standard already in place and working.


Category: Food Policy, Nutrition & Health, School Beverage Guidelines

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January 24, 2012

We’re Giving You More Information

We’re guessing you’ve already seen our new calorie labels, but we wanted to bring them to your attention in case you haven’t.  We’re placing calorie information right on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce.  It’s another thing we’re working on to help provide you with more information.

So, the next time you walk down the beverage aisle in your local grocery store or go to grab your next drink from the cooler in the corner store, take a look at the front of our products.  We hope you’ll use this information to make the choice that’s right for you.

Tweet us, or post a picture on Facebook when you spot the new labels!


Category: Clear on Calories

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January 23, 2012

Did You Know?

On this day in 1957, production first began on plastic aerodynamic flying discs, commonly known today as Frisbees. The concept for the Frisbee actually began almost a century earlier at a pie factory in Connecticut, established by a man named William Frisbie.  The empty pie tins were popularly used as rudimentary “Flying Saucers” until a plastic version of the disc was invented and patented under a take-off name of the historic pie company.  By 1977, 100 million Frisbees were sold and it had taken off as a fun and fashionable sport.

55 years later, the Frisbee is still a beloved toy across all ages and demographics. And, Frisbee playing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and stay physically active. With games such as Frisbee Golf, Ultimate Frisbee and Freestyle Frisbee it’s the perfect sport to enjoy with a friend, a whole group of friends or even your dog!


Category: Physical Activity, Pop Culture

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January 20, 2012

Bring on the Weekend

With impending rough winter weather on its way to our nation’s capital, we’re hunkering down and getting ready for at least one morning of limited mobility.

So, in preparation of winter weather here and around the country don’t forget to stock up on essential foods and beverages. Our member companies provide myriad beverage options to keep you hydrated, whether you’re stuck inside or shoveling snow. Hydrating liquids such as bottled water, 100 percent juice, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas are essential to staying healthy.

After the storm blows over though, you can bet we’ll be right back out there being active. Because we understand that balancing the calories we consume from all foods and beverages with those we burn through physical activity and exercise is the key to maintaining a healthy weight.


Category: Hydration, Physical Activity

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January 19, 2012

Another Way We’re Making a Real Difference

Yesterday, the U.S. Conference of Mayors announced the winners of the 2012 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards during their 80th Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. The awards went to cities with outstanding programs that focus on educating children and families about the importance of balancing calories and engaging in regular physical activity as ways to achieve a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle.

We partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on this project to help communities address tough issues in meaningful and pragmatic ways.  Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association, was quoted in the news release as saying:

“We’re proud to be working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on this initiative because of the positive impact it will have on families nationwide. We’re particularly excited to be growing community programs that are centered on reducing and preventing obesity throughout the country.”

The awards were divided into categories for small, medium and large cities, each including both first and second place honors.  An independent panel of judges evaluated the programs and selected the winners based on a number of criteria.  Check out the list of this year’s winners:

Large City

• 1st Place – Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer’s “Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement”

To support their Louisville Youth Advocates Program, a group of 50 young people who have assessed community needs will use that information to become advocates for change as well as young entrepreneurs by creating businesses that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to their “Health in a Hurry” corner store initiative.

• Outstanding Achievement – Houston (TX) Mayor Annise Parker’s “Recipe for Success”
The award will support their Rolling Green Market Initiative, a van that travels the city providing fresh produce to food desserts.

Medium City

• 1st Place – Allentown (PA) Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s “Fruits and Veggies on the Move”

The award will support a program that is the modern day version of the ice cream truck. A branded truck, loaded with fruits and vegetables, would travel to playgrounds and recreation sites throughout the city and offer free fruits and veggies to kids.

• Outstanding Achievement – Las Cruces (NM) Mayor Ken D. Miyagishima’s “Mayor’s 5-2-1-0 Fitness and Nutrition Challenge”

The award will support the Mayor traveling to every third grade class in the city to challenge the students to do four things every day for the next 21 days (according to the applicant, it takes 21 days to change/break a habit) including eating 5 servings of fruits/vegetables and exercising for one hour every day.

Small City

• 1st Place – Lima (OH) Mayor David Berger’s “Healthy Living Hubs”

The award will support Healthy Living Hubs in three selected neighborhoods that are high poverty food deserts. Children and families living in and around these hubs will be provided with fitness classes, access to fresh produce via food-mobile, nutrition classes and more.

• Outstanding Achievement – Patterson (LA) Mayor Rodney Grogan’s “Mayor Takes it to the Streets”

The award will support the creation of a farmer’s market accessible to low-income residents, improvement of play spaces and recreational facilities, and PSA campaigns that support healthy food choices and breastfeeding by new mothers, among other activities.

Congratulations to these mayors for their innovative programs!  This partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors builds upon long-standing work by the non-alcoholic beverage industry to be part of meaningful solutions to help reduce obesity by supporting nutrition education for children, strengthening communities and empowering consumers.  It’s another public-private partnership dedicated to making a real difference.


Category: News & Media

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January 18, 2012

Positive Changes

Here at Sip & Savor we often write about leading healthy lifestyles and being physically active, so it’s encouraging to find that a recent report suggests obesity rates may be leveling off in the U.S. Efforts such as First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat childhood obesity, health awareness and education and other factors are cited as contributing factors in the fight to reduce obesity.

Everyone has a role to play in reducing – and preventing – obesity.  Our industry has stepped up to do its part. In support of the First Lady’s campaign, we launched our Clear on Calories initiative, making it easier for consumers to choose the beverage that’s right for them by placing calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce. And through our voluntary national School Beverage Guidelines, we’ve removed full-calorie sodas from all schools and replaced them with more lower-calorie, smaller-portion options.

These initiatives will have a positive and lasting effect for generations to come.


Category: News & Media, Nutrition & Health

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January 17, 2012

Safety of Low-Calorie Sweeteners Confirmed … Again

We’ve often blogged about the safety of aspartame and other low-calorie sweeteners. Oftentimes it is in response to media coverage of a published paper or an abstract presented at a scientific meeting.  Today we thought we’d share an article from FoodNavigator.com which reported on a meeting of European Union scientific experts.  The group, which gathered recently in Italy, once again confirmed that low-calorie sweeteners, including aspartame, are safe for human consumption.

The FoodNavigator.com article also references a French group asking for a pregnancy warning label regarding aspartame based on the findings of a Danish study from 2010.  So we also wanted to share a few facts on that particular study that we shared in response, which can be found here.

The main point we’d like to reinforce with our readers today:  low-calorie sweeteners are safe. So if you’re looking for a low-or no-calorie beverage to quench your thirst, you can do so with confidence.


Category: Nutrition & Health

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January 16, 2012

“I Have a Dream”

Today is dedicated to the memory of a great American whose extraordinary dreams, words of peace and nonviolent activism advanced the civil rights movement and changed this country forever.

To honor and remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., community-based volunteer opportunities are being held throughout the country today. Check out the MLK Day of Service site to find volunteer projects in your own neighborhood, and help carry on the dream of Dr. King.  And, if you are in Washington, D.C., this weekend, the newly constructed MLK National Memorial is holding commemorative ceremonies and is certainly worth a visit.


Category: America

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January 13, 2012

Superstitious Much?

Well, it’s Friday the 13th – that day when some people may be a little more sensitive to the events going on around them, and some fear for the worst.  We came across an interesting piece on MyFox Boston’s website that lays out 13 facts about Friday the 13th, and thought you might be interested in checking it out today.

The column defines triskaidekaphobia, shares some history about this notorious date, gives some context to how people in other countries feel about it and offers a few ways to skirt bad happenings.

(Spoiler alert! The article recommends that you touch wood, cross your fingers, avoid black cats, don’t look at the full moon through a pane of glass and throw salt over each shoulder.)

We think there might be easier solutions to avoiding bad luck today, especially if there’s no salt close by, like keeping yourself hydrated – and following us on Facebook and Twitter.  Okay, maybe not the latter, but we still hope you check in with us!

Whatever you superstition may or may not be on this day, we hope it turns out to be a great afternoon and evening for you!


Category: Hydration, Pop Culture

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