Coke, Pepsi Among Others to Help Reduce Calories Consumed

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and other leading beverage companies have announced they’ll commit to reducing the amount of calories consumed by their customers by 20 percent by the year 2025.

In a joint effort by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, which is founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group have designed a two-part initiative.

In a press release, the Clinton Global Initiative said the companies “will leverage their marketing, innovation and distribution strength to increase and sustain consumer interest in and access to beverage options to help consumers reduce calories consumed.  Such beverage options include smaller portion sizes, water, and other no- or lower-calorie beverages. Through these efforts, water and other lower-calorie beverages are expected to grow significantly. The companies will engage in consumer education and outreach efforts to increase consumer awareness of and interest in the wide array of no- and lower-calorie beverages and smaller portion sizes available.”

Former President Bill Clinton added, “I am excited about the potential of this voluntary commitment by the beverage industry. It can be a critical step in our ongoing fight against obesity.”

The beverage companies will also focus this initiative in the community by promoting their bottled water, expanding and promoting low-calorie/no-calorie products by providing coupons and other incentives, as well as product placement.

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