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American Beverage Association Comments on Final Meeting of The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines For Americans Advisory Committee

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AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON FINAL MEETING OF THE 2010 U.S. DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In response to today's final meeting of the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee, Dr. Maureen Storey, senior vice president for science policy for the American Beverage Association, issued the following statement:

"As the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee issues its final report and USDA and HHS write the final guidelines, the American Beverage Association and its members urge the agencies to fully consider the body of science on all sides of the nutrition debate to ensure sound policy that will help Americans live healthy lives.

The Dietary Guidelines must focus on the total diet, the importance of physical activity and the essential role that energy balance - that is balancing calories from all that we eat and drink with those we burn through physical activity - plays in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. After all, we know that these are the keys to a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Importantly, soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and sweetened bottled water combined contribute only 5.5 percent of the calories in the American diet, according to a National Cancer Institute analysis of government data presented just last year to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. This means that more than 94 percent of calories come from other foods and beverages. And, as our industry continues to innovate to meet the evolving tastes and preferences of the American consumer, beverage calories are on the decline. In fact, since 1998, there has been a 21 percent reduction in beverage calories in the marketplace driven largely by consumer interest in the growing range of zero-calorie, lower-calorie and reduced-portion beverage choices we've offered.

Furthermore, our industry is committed to being part of the solution to childhood obesity. In fact, we have successfully implemented national School Beverage Guidelines that have reduced beverage calories available in schools by 88 percent, and recently announced a calorie labeling initiative in support of First Lady Michelle Obama's ‘Let's Move!' campaign that will help consumers make balanced choices wherever they purchase our products."

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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.