Coca-Cola, the company perhaps most widely demonised for its alleged contribution to obesity, has announced four global business commitments to further contribute to healthier, happier, and more active communities. These commitments, which apply to the more than 200 countries where the company does business, are to:
* Offer low- or no-calorie beverage options in every market
* Provide transparent nutrition information, featuring calories on the front of all of our packages
* Help get people moving by supporting physical activity programs in every country where we do business
* Market responsibly, including no advertising to children under 12 anywhere in the world
“Obesity is today’s most challenging health issue, affecting nearly every family and community across the globe. It is a global societal problem which will take all of us working together and doing our part,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company. “We are committed to being part of the solution, working closely with partners from business, government and civil society. Today’s announcement is another step forward on our journey, as we take action with scale and reach across every country and continent where we operate.”
Coke says it has already taken a number of important steps, including product and packaging innovations including smaller portion sizes with its expansion of mini-cans in the United States, Australia, Canada, Korea and Thailand. The Coca-Cola system is claimed to support hundreds of active, healthy living programs in more than 115 countries reaching millions of people, and is putting calories on the front of nearly all its beverages worldwide.
Coke notes that it sells non-alcoholic beverages in nearly every beverage category – from sparkling beverages to water, enhanced and flavoured water beverages, tea, coffee, juice and juice drinks, sports beverages and energy drink, and that the broad portfolio includes nearly 800 low- and no-calorie beverages, representing 25% of the global portfolio. The company said that it will continue innovating portion-controlled packages and new, natural zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia, because it believes choice comes in many tastes, shapes and sizes.
