Getting in line with First Lady Michelle Obama's call for businesses to help encourage healthier kids, non-alcoholic beverage companies today announced sweeping changes to their labeling. Now, calories will be more clearly marked on the front of all packages, vending machines and fountain machines.
A 12-ounce serving size will be used to display calories for multi-serve beverage packages, such as 2-liter bottles. The change could make listed calories in a serving rise by 50 percent for some drinks, since the industry for decades has used eight ounces as its default serving size on labels.
In an interview with the AJC, Coca-Cola chief executive Muhtar Kent applauded the changes. "We are honored to play a role in this important action," he said. "We are going to be seen as part of the solution."
The big companies on board with the changes include Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, PepsiCo and Nestle Waters North America.
Given the concern over childhood obesity, the beverage industry is being realistic, said John Sicher, editor of Beverage Digest.
"It may act to reassure people," said Sicher. "The bottom line is, it’s a responsible thing to do. The industry is going to help blunt the criticism and respond to the concern by doing this."
Get more breaking news on Coca-Cola by following the AJC on Twitter.
About the Author
