News Releases & Statements

American Beverage Association Responds to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Viral Ad Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2009

Contact:
ABA Press Office
(202) 463-6770

AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE VIRAL AD CAMPAIGN

"If the goal is to reduce obesity among New Yorkers, then this public education campaign should be based in fact, not simply sensationalized video that inaccurately portrays our industry's products - products that are fat-free.

"Our industry supports efforts to help people lead healthier lives, not sound bites or simplistic solutions.   There is no miracle diet for weight loss.  Calories matter when it comes to losing weight.  Balancing calories consumed with calories burned, regardless of the source, is the only generally proven approach to maintaining a healthy diet. Further, the beverage industry provides an array of beverages with a wide range of calories, including zero calories. In fact, since 1998, there has been a 21 percent reduction in calories in beverages in the marketplace, as industry continues to produce more zero-calorie, low-calorie and reduced-portion products."

# # #

The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.