Petition sent to FDA urging safe limits on high-fructose corn syrup and other sugars in soft drinks ignores fact that 45% of all non-alcoholic beverages purchased have zero calories, American Beverage Assn. says

Nevin Barich

WASHINGTON , February 13, 2013 (press release) – In response to a petition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration led by the Center for Science in the Public Interest regarding caloric sweeteners in beverages, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

Statement:

"Everyone has a role to play in reducing obesity levels – a fact completely ignored in this petition. This is why the beverage industry has worked to increase options and information for consumers,

Today about 45 percent of all non-alcoholic beverages purchased have zero calories and the overall average number of calories per beverage serving is down 23 percent since 1998.
Beverage companies voluntarily removed full-calorie soft drinks from all schools and replaced them with lower-calorie choices, resulting in a 90 percent reduction in beverage calories shipped to schools since 2004.

Beverage companies voluntarily added calorie labels to the front of all their packages, making it easier than ever for consumers to know how many calories are in their beverage choice before making a purchase.

Americans are consuming 37 percent fewer calories from sugar in soft drinks and other sweetened beverages than in 2000, according to the CDC.
We look forward to working with all interested parties in making further strides in bringing down obesity levels and helping consumers make informed decisions for themselves and their families."

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.

SOURCE American Beverage Association

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