“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.”  

“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.”

“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."

“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.”

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. 

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.

"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."

"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.'"

"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."

"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."

Susan K. Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association (ABA), has announced that Karen Hanretty has joined ABA as vice president for public affairs for the association.

"We applaud First Lady Michelle Obama for her commitment to ending childhood obesity in America with her ‘Let's Move!' initiative. Childhood obesity is a complex issue, and we know that everyone has a role to play in reducing it - including government, industry, schools, the public health community and parents. Two years ago today, we proudly stepped up to support the First Lady's comprehensive approach with our Clear on Calories initiative - and we're delivering on that commitment. By placing clear calorie labels on the front of every bottle, can and pack we produce, our industry is making it easier for parents and individuals to choose the beverage that's right for them and their families. This effort, along with our industry providing more choices and fewer calories, will have a meaningful and lasting impact."

"In early 2010, our industry announced it had successfully implemented national School Beverage Guidelines, reducing beverage calories shipped to schools by a dramatic 88 percent. In fact, when it comes to elementary schools, the guidelines removed full-calorie soft drinks and allow for only bottled water, low-fat milk and 100 percent juice in 8 ounce containers."

"To be clear, this study does not show that consuming diet soft drinks can cause adverse health effects. It simply shows a correlation which is easily explained by other factors in the study - most notably age. Importantly, medical experts, including the American Dietetic Association, recommend diet soft drinks as a weight management tool, particularly for people at risk for vascular events or stroke."

"The authors of this commentary attempt to address the critical global health issue of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. However, in doing so, their comparison of sugar to alcohol and tobacco is simply without scientific merit. Moreover, an isolated focus on a single ingredient such as sugar or fructose to address health issues noted by the World Health Organization to be caused by multiple factors, including tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, is an oversimplification. There is no evidence that focusing solely on reducing sugar intake would have any meaningful public health impact. Importantly, we know that the body of scientific evidence does not support that sugar, in any of its various forms - including fructose, is a unique cause of chronic health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome."