Coca-Cola and Pepsi’s massive move to reduce sugar in soft drinks

SOFT drink companies including Coca-Cola and Pepsi have signed a historic agreement to tackle Australia’s growing obesity crisis.

SOFT drink companies have signed a historic agreement to reduce the sugar in non-alcoholic drinks by 20 per cent in a joint move to tackle Australia’s obesity crisis.

The move by Coke, Pepsi and other major producers won’t actually reduce the amount of sugar in specific drinks but will see more low sugar and sugar-free drinks and “smaller container sizes” offered over the next two to seven years.

Under the agreement to cut sugar in the non-alcoholic drinks industry by 10 per cent in the next two years and 20 per cent by 2025, companies will also look at implementing a cap on the amount of sugar in new and existing soft drinks, energy drinks, juices, cordials, iced teas and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Australian Beverages Council chief executive Geoff Parker made the announcement alongside federal Health Minister Greg Hunt at Parliament House today.

It comes after the 2018 Australian Health report last week found the nation’s obesity crisis had gotten significantly worse over the past two decades.

Mr Parker said the beverage industry, which had been working on the pledge for two years, wanted to “play its part in improving the health of all Australians”.

He said it sent a “clear message that industry is responding to calls for change and we will continue to do our bit to help tackle obesity.”

“Australia’s non-alcoholic beverage industry is serious about supporting healthier lifestyles,” Mr Parker said.

Coke and Pepsi are changing their sugar content levels.

“That’s why leading beverage companies in Australia have united for the first time to commit to reducing sugar across the industry by 20 per cent on average by 2025.”

He encouraged other food and beverage producers to make similar pledges to reduce sugar.

Mr Hunt said the federal government supported the “considered and appropriate action” to tackle obesity.

“Today’s sugar reduction commitment by the non-alcoholic beverages sector is a clear sign that industry is taking additional steps to support our initiatives to maintain a healthy diet and to lead an active life,” he said.

The Coalition has previously hosed down calls for a sugar tax to force beverage producers to cut the amounts in their drinks over concerns it would hurt sugar cane farmers.

Today, the Minister praised the industry for working constructively with farming and agricultural groups ahead of its announcement.

A review of the pledge will be conducted by an independent auditor, which will monitor companies’ sales volumes to confidentially asses progress on the commitment.

Asahi Beverages and Frucor Suntory have also signed on to cut the amount of sugar in the industry.

Originally published as Coca-Cola and Pepsi’s massive move to reduce sugar in soft drinks