Company Supports U.K. School Nutrition Standards

May 26, 2006 edition

The U.K. Department for Education and Skills recently announced new school nutrition standards that call for the removal of all regular and diet carbonated soft drinks, plus other beverages containing artificial sweeteners, including fruit juice drinks, sports drinks and flavored waters.

Under the new standards, which take effect in September 2006, the only drinks available in public secondary schools in the United Kingdom will be bottled water (still or sparkling), skim or semi-skim milk, pure fruit juices, yogurt and milk drinks (with less than 5 percent added sugar) or drinks made from a combination of these (including smoothies). Artificial sweeteners can be used only in yogurt and milk drinks, or in combinations containing yogurt or milk. The restrictions will apply to both lunch periods and non-lunch occasions.

Coca-Cola Great Britain issued the following response to the May 19 announcement:

Coca-Cola has always recognized that the school environment is unique, and we are fully supportive of initiatives to raise nutritional standards in schools. We respect the decision made by the Secretary of State and will work to ensure that products from our existing portfolio (including Minute Maid 100% Pure Squeezed Orange Juice, Appletiser 100% Apple Juice and still and sparkling Malvern mineral water) that meet the government’s requirements are made available to secondary schools.

Outside of schools, we will continue to promote no-sugar and zero-added-sugar carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, which are making a positive contribution to the obesity issue and to develop innovative products to provide a wider choice.

Visit www.coca-cola.co.uk for more information on Coca-Cola Great Britain.