JUST-DRINKS reported that it has been tough times for carbonated soft drinks manufacturers in the UK and the US where – the UK Food Ethics Council first of all dealt a blow by warning that low-calorie carbonated drinks cannot be part of a viable solution to the obesity problem.
Then in the US, the Institute of Medicine released a report which for the first time claimed a clear link between the beverage preferences of children under 12 and the influence of television advertising.
However, Coca-Cola, the US largest soft drink brand pointed out correctly that it has already ceased to run commercials during programs with a core audience of children under the age of 12 in the United States.
The company made a timely announcement that it would run a full-page advertisement in several major French newspapers to emphasise Coca-Cola’s broader commitment to tackling obesity.
Of course in Australia, as always, we have always been well ahead of the game, our Board eight years ago had resolved not to actively market sugar sweetened soft drinks to primary schools and to abide by the advertising code for children which restricts advertising in children’s programs.