News Releases

American Beverage Association Responds to Recommendations of 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines For Americans Advisory Committee

June 15, 2010

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
ABA Press Office
(202) 463-6770

AMERICAN BEVERAGE ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO RECOMMENDATIONS OF 2010 U.S. DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In response to the release today of the final report 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:

"We appreciate the hard work of the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. We applaud the Committee's comprehensive approach to keeping Americans healthy by reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity. As the nutrition policy of the federal government, our industry believes that this must be the focus of the Dietary Guidelines.

Our industry provides myriad beverage options in a variety of calorie ranges to help consumers make the choice that is appropriate for them. In addition, 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, consumers will have calorie information available at their fingertips at every point of purchase.

As HHS and USDA review the Committee's recommendations, we urge the agencies to develop guidelines that reflect the preponderance of publicly available evidence to ensure sound nutrition and actionable policy that will help Americans live healthy lives. We also thank them for public access to the nutrition evidence library used by the Committee. Moving forward, our industry will thoroughly review the Committee's recommendations and will file public comments."

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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.