Coca-Cola System Introducing Additional Nutrition Information On Packaging In The European Union

July 14, 2006 edition

In the coming months, Coca-Cola products throughout the European Union (EU) will begin carrying expanded nutrition information on packaging to help consumers make informed choices.

The Coca-Cola Company in the EU has committed to the voluntary, proactive changes, which the European food and beverage industry group CIAA announced this week to standardize the nutritional information available on food and beverage packaging in Europe. In addition, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) announced that the beverage industry in Great Britain would be adopting a GDA nutrition system consistent with the CIAA plan, representing the first practical implementation of the new labels to a whole sector in an EU country.

Within the next 24 months, all Coca-Cola products sold in the European Union Group will have an energy logo on the front of the packs stating the calories per serving in the product and the percent those calories represent of the total recommended daily intake, or Guideline Daily Amount (GDA). The backs of the packages will contain expanded information displaying the GDAs for sugar, fat, saturated fat, salt and calories, when relevant. That will be in addition to a "Big 8" nutrient table on the pack stating the energy value (calories), protein, carbohydrate, sugar, fat, saturated fat, fiber and sodium content.

Our Company is committed to offering consumers all the information they require to make informed choices, in order to meet their diet and lifestyle needs. This initiative recognizes people’s desire for more consistent, helpful and easy-to-understand information, and we will act upon it with real action in the marketplace.

Recent research into nutrient labeling in Great Britain showed 63 percent of those surveyed were familiar with the term Guideline Daily Amount and 83 percent believed that GDAs should be shown on all food products.

Several other food and beverage companies also are adopting the guidelines for their products sold in EU markets.

Adopting the new labeling guidelines furthers the EU Group’s Fit for the Future strategy, which focuses on:

Offering consumers a choice of beverages and packages;
Ensuring informed choice;
Marketing and selling our products responsibly; and,
Promoting active lifestyles.

We believe strongly that we have a positive role to play in helping to tackle the obesity issue. By taking action in the marketplace, we can be part of the solution.

The Company’s decision regarding the new labeling was based on insights gained through research on consumer needs and preferences within the European Union. Consumer needs and expectations, market conditions, industry structures and legislative frameworks vary around the world. In every market where we do business, we are in active dialogue with government, regulators, consumer organizations and others to ensure that we are providing the appropriate information about our products to consumers.