Tue, 15 May 2012

“We applaud HBO for producing a comprehensive documentary series that delves into the questions and concerns about obesity in America. We agree that the complexity of obesity – both causes and solutions – is a serious topic that impacts individuals and policy makers. Our industry has taken voluntary steps to be part of meaningful solutions that will have a real and lasting impact when it comes to reducing obesity in America. However, it is disappointing that HBO narrowed the viewpoints in the documentary to those of certain health activists who advocate extreme policies and perpetuate inaccuracies and falsehoods about our industry and its beverages.”

Tue, 15 May 2012

“Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages will not reduce obesity, nor will it have a truly meaningful impact on obesity-related health conditions. There is a vast body of available science to support this. For instance, a review by George Mason University researchers showed that even a 20 percent tax on soda would reduce an obese person’s Body Mass Index from 40 to 39.98 – an amount not even measurable on a bathroom scale.

Singling out one set of products in such an overly simplistic manner only undermines efforts to combat this complex issue. Consumers do not support these taxes and recognize them for what they truly are – a money grab to raise revenue.”

Tue, 08 May 2012

“Obesity is a serious public health issue facing our nation, and we all must work together to solve it. We commend the Committee for their systematic analysis and for recognizing that physical activity plays an important role in a comprehensive solution. However, advocating discriminatory policies that uniquely focus on sugar-sweetened beverages is the wrong approach. In fact, government data shows that sugar-sweetened beverages account for only 7 percent of the calories in the average American’s diet, and have been declining for more than a decade while obesity continued to rise. Focusing on a small and declining source of calories in the diet is a wrong-headed approach that distracts from meaningful solutions that promote healthier diets overall, as well as increased physical activity.

Wed, 02 May 2012

“This study was not conducted on humans and in no way mirrors reality. The authors used slices of tooth enamel samples from extracted molars, and then placed them in petri dishes of liquid for extended periods of time. People do not keep any kind of liquid in their mouths for 15 minute intervals over five day periods. Thus, the findings of this paper simply cannot be applied to real life situations. Furthermore, it is irresponsible to blame foods, beverages or any other single factor for enamel loss and tooth decay (dental caries or cavities). Science tells us that individual susceptibility to both dental cavities and tooth erosion varies depending on a person’s dental hygiene behavior, lifestyle, total diet and genetic make-up.”

Thu, 19 Apr 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Earth Day and every day, American Beverage Association member companies demonstrate their longstanding commitment to our environment through ongoing efforts to further reduce their environmental impact.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Beverage Association (ABA) today announced the election of two new members to its Board of Directors. The new members are: Albert P. (Al) Carey, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Americas Beverages, and Paul Finney, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pepsi Bottling Ventures.

"I am pleased to welcome these exceptional leaders in our industry to ABA's Board of Directors," Tom Bené, chair of ABA's Board of Directors and president of PepsiCo Foodservice, said. "Our industry is known for its leadership in advancing meaningful solutions, and I look forward to the fresh perspectives of our new board members."

Based in Somers, N.Y., Al Carey assumed his current role with PepsiCo Americas Beverages in September 2011 and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of PepsiCo's beverage business across North, South and Central America. He joined PepsiCo in 1981 and has served in a variety of positions, including president and chief executive officer for Frito-Lay North America (FLNA). In this role, Carey was responsible for overseeing all of FLNA - the company's most profitable operating division and largest North American business.

Paul Finney was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) on January 1, 2012. Prior to this assignment, Finney served as Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing from 2006 to 2011. Before joining PBV, Paul spent 17 years with Pepsi-Cola North America in a variety of roles including Vice President of Sales at SoBe and Vice President/General Manager in a variety of locations including Southern California, Texas, and New York.

"The ABA Board of Directors provides critical guidance and decision making which are vital to the success of our association and our industry," said Susan K. Neely, ABA president and chief executive officer. "We are privileged to have such a committed group of industry leaders at the helm of our organization."

Members of ABA's board of directors serve a four-year term and participate in semi-annual meetings that help shape association policy and initiatives. With the election of these members, there are now 28 members on ABA's Board of Directors.

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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. For more information on ABA, please visit the association's Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.
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Mon, 12 Mar 2012

"Drinking sweetened beverages does not cause an increased risk of heart disease - not based on this study or any other study in the available science. The authors found an association between consuming sweetened beverages and cardiovascular risk, but this could have been the result of other lifestyle changes over the 22-year study period involving men 40 to 75 years of age."

Fri, 09 Mar 2012

"While some media outlets have reported that our member companies are ‘changing their recipes,' this is not the case. Our member companies will still use caramel coloring in certain products, as always. The companies that make caramel coloring for our members' soft drinks are now producing it to meet California's new standard, and it will be used in products nationwide. Consumers will notice no difference in our products and have no reason at all for any health concerns, as supported by FDA and regulatory agencies around the world. In fact, just this week FDA downplayed any health risks, noting that a consumer ‘would have to drink more than a thousand cans of soda in a day to match the doses administered in studies that showed links to cancer in rodents.'"

Mon, 05 Mar 2012

"This is nothing more than CSPI scare tactics, and their claims are outrageous. The science simply does not show that 4-MEI in foods or beverages is a threat to human health. In fact, findings of regulatory agencies worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Food Safety Authority and Health Canada, consider caramel coloring safe for use in foods and beverages. CSPI fraudulently claims to be operating in the interest of the public's health when it is clear its only motivation is to scare the American people."

Wed, 29 Feb 2012

"Our industry provides consumers with more choices, smaller portions and fewer calories than ever before. In fact, the development of more low- and no-calorie beverages has helped drive a 23 percent reduction in the average calories per serving since 1998. And while beverage calories continued to decline during that time, obesity rates continued to climb according to CDC. This CDC data brief makes two things clear - beverages do not uniquely contribute to obesity, and they are not the leading source of added sugar calories in the diet of American children and adolescents."