A new report by the US Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) claims that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are borrowing tactics from the tobacco industry by looking to developing nations for new customers as their sales fall in the United States. The trend is driving up global rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay, which are overwhelming health systems in nations with rapid population growth. The report also claims that the companies are breaching promises to avoid marketing to children. “Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Philip Morris International and other major beverage makers have been using a variety of strategies to increase soda consumption among children around the world,” said CSP@@ The report called on the WHO to vastly increase education and outreach efforts on regarding sugary drinks, including establishing a database of laws that discourage consumption. Among other recommendations, the report said countries should pass excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, bar advertising aimed at children and require warning labels on sugary drinks.
A new report by the US Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) claims that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are borrowing tactics from the tobacco industry by looking to developing nations for new customers as their sales fall in the United States. The trend is driving up global rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and tooth decay, which are overwhelming health systems in nations with rapid population growth. The report also claims that the companies are breaching promises to avoid marketing to children. “Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Philip Morris International and other major beverage makers have been using a variety of strategies to increase soda consumption among children around the world,” said CSP@@ Among other recommendations, the report said countries should pass excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, bar advertising aimed at children and require warning labels on sugary drinks.