The Coca-Cola Company

EU Health Commission Credits Company With Helping To Combat Obesity

November 10, 2006 edition

EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou yesterday praised The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), Coca-Cola Enterprises, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and other food and beverage companies for their commitment to combating obesity and promoting nutritional awareness.

The companies -- which also included McDonald’s Europe, PepsiCo Europe, Kraft Foods and Unilever -- were recognized for their efforts to encourage healthy lifestyles, limit advertising to children and offer more low-fat, low-calorie and low-salt products. The "name and praise session" was part of the EU Health Commission's strategy to encourage industry self-regulation wherever possible.

Dominique Reiniche, president of our Company’s EU Group and of the Union of European Beverages Associations (UNESDA), explained how all UNESDA member companies had committed to responsible sales and marketing to children.

"We respect the role of parents and caregivers to make the most relevant choices for children under 12, and to educate children about healthy diets and active lifestyles," Reiniche said. "This is why we pledged not to place any marketing communication in printed media, websites or during broadcast programs aimed at children under 12."

"We also committed not to engage in direct commercial activity in primary schools unless requested by school authorities," she continued. "And we are enacting strict guidelines to limit brand presence and expand choice in secondary schools."

TCCC is currently implementing these commitments by training sales forces, coaching marketing and advertising agencies, and interacting with schools and parents’ associations.

Earlier in the day, the EU Commission released its latest survey on health, food and nutrition, revealing that 38 percent of Europeans think they are overweight, and that less than 30 percent of Europeans practice intense exercise on a regular basis. Nine out of ten Europeans responded that marketing and advertising influence children's food and beverage choices.