Coca-Cola’s chief health and science officer has left the company amid scrutiny of the beverage giant’s influence over a nonprofit group set up to fight obesity.
Rhona Applebaum’s retirement was announced internally on Nov. 4, Coke confirmed Tuesday. Her departure was first reported in an Associated Press story that also detailed emails suggesting how closely Coke worked with the nonprofit Global Energy Balance Network.
The group promotes the concept of “energy balance” including more physical activity, but critics say its aim is to obscure the role of soft drinks in rising obesity levels by shifting blame to lack of exercise.
Atlanta-based Coke told the AP that Applebaum’s position will not be filled as the company overhauls the way it goes about its health efforts. Coke says it no longer works with the Global Energy group.
In a statement about the e-mails after being contacted by the AP, Coke CEO Muhtar Kent said “it has become clear to us that there was not a sufficient level of transparency with regard to the company’s involvement with the Global Energy Balance Network… Clearly, we have more work to do to reflect the values of this great company in all that we do.”
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