Coke adding calorie data to front of packages worldwide

By Joe Guy Collier

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Coca-Cola Co. will have energy information on the front of almost all of its packages around the globe by the end of 2011, the company announced Wednesday.

Depending on the measurement used in the market, the information will highlight the calories, kilocalories or kilojoules per serving in the beverage. In the United States, the front-of-pack label replicates some information found on side-panels.

Coca-Cola has successfully rolled out front-of-pack energy labeling throughout Europe and Australia with Mexico and the United States currently in roll-out phase. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage firm, is the first beverage company to make such an international commitment.

“Coca-Cola is the world’s most valuable brand, and with that comes a leadership responsibility,” Coke Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent said in a press statement. “Now more than ever, people expect facts about the products they consume to be both readily available and visible. This global commitment is about making it easier for consumers to quickly see the calorie information for our beverages.”