american beverage association
click on a logo to learn more about the members of the american beverage association .
coke referred questions about the study to their trade group, the american beverage association .
the american beverage association will win the spending war in philadelphia. it always does .
american beverage association, 2015 irs form 990, internal revenue service, november 15, 2016 .
american beverage association, 2014 irs form 990, internal revenue service, november 16, 2015 .
american beverage association, 2013 irs form 990, internal revenue service, november 17, 2014 .
fifteen national organizations including the american heart association and the american medical association filed a friend - of - the court brief with the commonwealth court of pennsylvania .
we make american products, with american workers, in america' s hometowns .
access to the report is available on the american beverage association website at urltoken and the alliance website at urltoken .
the beverage association ads cite an increase in property tax collections as evidence the beverage tax is unnecessary .
correction: this story was modified to clarify the american beverage association’s position on the outcome of the 2015 us dietary guidelines .
the american beverage association (aba) is the trade association that represents america' s non - alcoholic beverage industry. aba was founded in 1919 as the american bottlers of carbonated beverages, and renamed the national soft drink association in 1966. today the aba represents hundreds of beverage producers, distributors, franchise companies and support industries .
the american beverage association once spent $ 11 million in a six - month period to defeat a new york soda tax proposal .
the plaintiffs — including the american beverage association and the pennsylvania food merchants association — are seeking to invalidate the tax. one of their legal arguments is that the beverage tax conflicts with the pennsylvania sales tax .
san francisco' s new legislation requiring soda ads to carry health warning labels is being challenged in court by the american beverage association .
companies that belong to the american beverage association make and sell some of the world' s most popular and innovative non - alcoholic beverages .
american beverage association, [ paper copy on file at cmd 2016 irs form 990 ], internal revenue service, november 15, 2017 .
* all health / medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved by the american heart association, based on scientific research and american heart association guidelines. use this link for more information on our content editorial process .
the american beverage association strives to unify america' s non - alcoholic beverage industry. through member support, aba strengthens the producers, franchise companies and suppliers it represents, serving as a unified voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
philadelphia (cbs) — the american beverage association reported spending about $ 1. 7 million in the first quarter of this year to oppose philadelphia’s beverage tax, including ads on tv and radio .
companies that belong to the american beverage association make and sell some of the world’s most popular and innovative non - alcoholic beverages. you might say that our members quench america’s thirst .
the beverage association said it disagreed with public health advocates “on discriminatory and regressive taxes and policies on our products. ”
the american diabetes association accepted $ 140, 000 from the company between 2012 and 2014. the american heart association received more than $ 400, 000 from coke between 2010 and 2015. and the national institutes of health received nearly $ 2 million from coke between 2010 and 2014 .
american beverage association 1275 pennsylvania ave. nw, suite 1100 washington, dc 20004 phone: (202) 463 - 6732 website: urltoken email: info @ urltoken twitter: urltoken facebook: urltoken
the beverage industry’s balance calories initiative works to reduce beverage calories an additional 20% per person by 2025 .
the american heart association’s healthy workplace food and beverage toolkit was created to help organizations improve their food environment and promote a culture of health. it provides practical action steps and suggestions that are easy to understand and apply .
according to its lobbying report, the american heart association spent about $ 330, 000 on an email campaign, telephone bank, and advertising in support of the tax .
the beverage industry highlights the safety of artificial sweeteners. “low - calorie sweeteners have been proven safe by worldwide government safety authorities as well as hundreds of scientific studies, ” lauren kane, a spokeswoman for the american beverage association, told marketwatch, on behalf of industry, including coca - cola
aba provides a neutral forum in which member convene to discuss common issues while maintaining their tradition of spirited competition in the american marketplace. the association also serves as liaison between the industry, government and the public, and provides a unified voice in legislative and regulatory matters. as the national voice for the non - alcoholic refreshment beverage industry, the american beverage association staff of legislative, scientific, technical, regulatory, legal and communications experts effectively represent members' interests .
aba provides a neutral forum in which members convene to discuss common issues while maintaining their tradition of spirited competition in the american marketplace. the association also serves as liaison between the industry, government and the public, and provides a unified voice in legislative and regulatory matters. as the national voice for the non - alcoholic refreshment beverage industry, the american beverage association staff of legislative, scientific, technical, regulatory, legal and communications experts effectively represent members' interests .
tracked down lobbying expenditures for seven states and five cities for which lobbying data was readily available and found the amount spent on lobbying by the american beverage association in years when soda taxes were considered to be $ 45. 6 million. these numbers don’t include pepsi, coke or local branches of the american beverage association (aba), which often spend thousands of dollars on local lobbying, or the $ 33 million it spent on federal lobbying from 2009 to 2014 .
the american beverage association spent more than $ 10. 6 million trying to fight off mayor kenney' s tax on sweetened drinks, more than four times the amount spent by those supporting the tax, newly released lobbying reports show .
american beverage association members manufacture and distribute non - alcoholic beverage products in the u. s. our industry is a vital part of our nation' s economy. with a direct economic impact of $ 182. 6 billion, we provide nearly 253, 000 jobs and support hundreds of thousands more that depend, in part, on beverage sales for their livelihood .
in 2009 alone, when the government proposed a federal soda tax to curb obesity that would help finance health care reform, coke, pepsi and the american beverage association spent a combined $ 38 million lobbying against the measure, which ultimately failed .
about american beverage association the american beverage association is the national trade organization representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non - alcoholic beverages in the united states, including regular and diet soft drinks, bottled waters and water beverages, ready - to - drink teas, sports drinks, energy drinks, 100 percent juices and juice drinks. aba and its member companies have a longstanding commitment to being part of the solution to obesity. for more information, please visit urltoken and urltoken .
soda taxes proposals have sprung up across the united states more than 30 times in the last 10 years, and the common thread among almost all of them — other than they usually fail — is heavy spending by the american beverage association on lobbying .
2018 arizona hb 2484, authored by rep. t. j. shope. this bill [ 5 ] broadly discusses food taxation not just a beverage tax or a soda tax. the groups registered against the bill include: arizona retailers association, arizona restaurant association, arizona beverage association, arizona food marketing alliance, arizona free enterprise club, arizona tax research association, arizona chamber of commerce and industry, united dairymen of arizona. cmd has submitted an open records request to the bill authors for more information .
“america’s beverage companies are committed to cracking the code on how each company can heighten consumer interest in lower calories, small portion sizes and less sugar, ” said susan neely, president and ceo of the american beverage association. “the innovative strategies we are ramping up in the marketplace will be what gets us to our goal. ”
the coca - cola company, with the help of the american beverage association, is deceiving consumers about the harms of consuming coke and other sugar - sweetened beverages, according to a complaint filed in federal court in california. the suit contends that the beverage giant and its trade association are engaged in an unlawful campaign of deception to mislead and confuse the public about the science linking consumption of sugar - sweetened drinks to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease .
the american beverage association (aba) is a 501 (c) (6) trade association and a lobbying powerhouse bankrolled by the largest players in the soft drink industry including coca - cola and pepsi - cola. (aba’s full membership directory can be viewed here .) the d. c. - based aba is currently led by susan k. neely, president and chief executive officer .
when the mayor of philadelphia proposed a soda tax in 2010, the beverage industry offered $ 10 million to the children’s hospital of philadelphia if the tax proposal was dropped. the city council voted down the measure, and the beverage association later made the donation .
big soda’s big three members—the american beverage association, coca - cola and pepsico—have spent a minimum of $ 67 million since 2009 to defeat soda taxes and warning labels in 19 cities and states, according to an analysis of lobbying and ballot initiative disclosure reports by the center for the science in the public interest .
the academy said it no longer has a sponsorship relationship with the beverage firms .
in numerous localities, the aba partners with u. s. chamber of commerce affiliates like the seattle metropolitan chamber of commerce or the chicagoland chamber of commerce. statewide retail and grocery groups like illinois retail merchants association and pa food merchants association have also been active. in michigan in 2017, farm groups and the national federation of independent business took a leading role on a state level bill to prevent soda tax initiatives. in arizona in 2018, a host of business groups including arizona beverage association, arizona retailers association, arizona restaurant association, arizona food marketing alliance and more, worked to pass another state level bill to prevent local soda tax campaigns. more below .
the $ 10. 6 million spent by the beverage association, according to its financial report, came primarily from three backers: dr pepper snapple group, pepsico, and the coca - cola co .
a key difference this year is significant, if not comparable, financial support for the public health initiatives from philanthropists michael bloomberg and john and laura arnold, as well as the american heart association. in philadelphia, bloomberg, the arnolds, and local supporters provided philadelphians for a fair future with about a $ 2. 2 million war chest, while the american heart association contributed about $ 334, 000—meaning that big soda outspent public health advocates by only a 4 to 1 ratio .
it’s been kansans against food and beverage taxes and new yorkers against unfair taxes) .
there has also been a backlash against sugary drinks. soda and sugary drinks may lead to an estimated 184, 000 deaths among adults every year, a 2015 study by researchers at tufts university published in the american heart association’s peer - reviewed journal circulation. the study analyzed consumption patterns from 611, 971 individuals between 1980 and 2010 across 51 countries. sugar - sweetened beverages consumption may have been responsible for approximately 133, 000 deaths from diabetes 45, 000 deaths from cardiovascular disease 6, 450 deaths from cancer, it concluded. (the american beverage association published a lengthy rebuttal. )
three cities followed suit with similar measures. but the beverage industry has been fighting back .
from 2011 to 2015, coke spent on average more than $ 6 million per year lobbying against public health measures aimed at curbing soda consumption, according to data from the nonpartisan center for responsive politics. pepsi spent about $ 3 million per year during that period, and the american beverage association spent more than $ 1 million each year, the study found .
michael k. torrey is going to be a leading voice in deciding how the hand - off of power—including farm, health, and school meals policy—will look as the obama administration sunsets to an ascendant republican successor. in the last four years, his eponymous lobbying firm has collected more than $ 800, 000 from the american beverage association, according to financial disclosures .
with our balance calories initiative, america' s beverage companies are committed to reducing calories and sugar consumed from beverages in the american diet. read more about it and learn how else we are helping protect consumer choice on our blog .
the aba, joined by the california state outdoor advertising association and california retailers association, filed a lawsuit against the city on friday, arguing that the legislation, which also would ban sugary - drink ads on city property, is a first amendment violation, reported sfgate .
the american beverage industry is an important part of the nation’s economy. our industry supports its local communities through jobs, tax revenue and charitable contributions. according to john dunham & associates, the beverage industry directly employs nearly 253, 000 people and has a direct economic impact of $ 182. 6 billion, with direct compensation to beverage industry workers at nearly $ 20 billion. the beverage industry also contributes more than $ 19 billion in state taxes and $ 30 billion in federal taxes. additionally, u. s. beverage companies and their employees generously contribute $ 1. 5 billion to charitable causes across the nation .
in providing nearly 253, 000 jobs and creating $ 182. 6 billion in annual revenue, the american beverage industry is a vital party of the economy. we proudly support local communities through education, jobs, tax revenue and charitable contributions .
“we believe our actions in communities and the marketplace are contributing to addressing the complex challenge of obesity, ” the beverage association said. “we stand strongly for our need, and right, to partner with organizations that strengthen our communities. ”
about the alliance for a healthier generation the alliance for a healthier generation, founded by the american heart association and the clinton foundation, empowers kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits, by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. get involved at healthiergeneration. org .
( washington, d. c .) nov. 22, 2016 — the alliance for a healthier generation and america’s beverage companies today issued the first annual independent evaluation of the balance calories initiative, a landmark effort to decrease beverage calories in the american diet. the balance calories report on 2015 progress lays out the ambitious work that beverage companies have undertaken to build a foundation of strategies in the marketplace that drive changes in consumer purchases and consumption. .
most recently, the soda industry lobbied to shape 2015 us dietary guidelines under the obama administration. the american beverage association was pleased with the final outcome, even as it suggested a limit on how much added sugar people should consume for the first time. that was followed up with a new labeling rule that would force food companies to list on food packaging how much added sugar is in products .
the findings, published on monday in the american journal of preventive medicine, document the beverage industry’s deep financial ties to the health community over the past five years, as part of a strategy to silence health critics and gain unlikely allies against soda regulations .
anthony campisi, a spokesman for the no philly grocery tax coalition, which was funded by the beverage association, said in a statement that the group' s efforts ensured the public
learned the truth about the regressive and discriminatory tax proposal .
cities and counties have long played a valuable role as laboratories of democracy for important public policy innovations, including public health policies. as cities and counties across the county introduce taxes on sodas and sweetened beverages to counter the rise in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other serious public health challenges, they are facing sophisticated opposition campaigns spearheaded by the deep - pocketed american beverage association (aba) and allied groups .
and many other public health advocates support the city in its legal battle to keep the beverage tax in place .
in a statement, the heart association said the group is “leading efforts to reduce consumption of sugary drinks, ” and the group has advocated for increased taxes on sugary drinks .
the dietary guidelines for americans 2015 - 2020 recommends only 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day. the american heart association recommends even less: that men limit themselves to nine teaspoons of added sugars per day, and that women limit themselves to six teaspoons per day. in either case, one sugary drink a day puts you at or over the recommended level .
some believe that food and beverage taxes will make us thinner, fitter and healthier - but there is another side to this story .
america’s beverage companies are doing their part when it comes to tackling some of the biggest challenges that affect people across the globe. from…
the beverage industry has taken and continues to take bold action to help address the complex public health issue of obesity. our member companies have…
“driving change of this magnitude takes time, ” said dr. howell wechsler, ceo of the alliance. “we are pleased to see that the beverage industry has begun to implement and learn from strategies that can reach the goal of a 20 percent reduction in americans’ beverage calories. ”
introductions of no -, low - and mid - calorie beverage innovations outpaced introductions of full - calorie beverages. beverage companies introduced 26 low - and no - calorie beverages and 17 mid - calorie beverages – which represent more than 60 percent of all new brands and flavors introduced ;
the non - alcoholic beverage industry plays an important role in the u. s. economy, and we are proud to contribute to that impact .
the beverage industry has taken and continues to take bold action to help address the complex public health issue of obesity. our member companies have changed the beverage landscape for children and adolescents. our member companies have removed full - calorie soft drinks from schools across the country and replaced them with lower - calorie, smaller - portion beverage choices. as a result of this initiative, calories available from beverages in schools have been cut by 88 percent .
communities of color. african - american children and teens saw more than twice as many television ads for sugar drinks than their white peers in 2013. hispanic americans are 20 percent more likely to be obese than white americans and 50 percent more likely to die from diabetes. ironically, the beverage industry disproportionately targets its marketing at low - income people and people of color .
we unite america' s non - alcoholic beverage companies to achieve responsible public policy and promote our industry' s commitment to customers, consumers and communities .
through member support, aba serves as an effective organization of producers, franchise companies and suppliers, and acts as strong national voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
on wednesday, a panel of judges in a pennsylvania appeals court is expected to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit brought by the beverage industry against the city .
we promised america' s parents that we would change the beverage mix in schools, and our companies - along with their school partners delivered dramatic and significant results .
through member support, aba serves as an effective organization of producers, franchise companies and suppliers, and acts as a strong national voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
if you’ve been an avid reader of sip & savor for some time – we’ve got good news for you. you can get more updates from the beverage industry by…
2017 michigan house bill 4999 [ 4 ] sponsored by rep. rob verheulen in the house and r - walker, sen. peter macgregor, r - rockford, was introduced sept. 20 and signed into law on oct. 31. the bill bans an excise tax “on the manufacture, distribution, wholesale sale, or retail sale of food for immediate consumption or nonimmediate consumption. ” a host of agricultural interests registered in favor of the bill including the michigan farm bureau, michigan sugar company, michigan sheep producers, michigan soybean association, michigan cattlemen’s association, michigan potato growers and more making it a “farm interests” bill. in addition, the michigan manufacturers association was involved as was the national federation of independent businesses. nfib testified in favor of the bill and was credited by the media as being a major play. nfib is a large trade association that has worked to preempt paid sick days and city - based minimum wage hikes .
america’s beverage companies—coca - cola, dr pepper and pepsi—are spearheading multiple initiatives that help reduce beverage calories from sugar in your family’s diet. whether it’s providing more choices with less sugar in stores or removing full - calorie soft drinks from schools, we’re always looking for different ways to support your efforts to make every day a balanced one .
the report found a number of instances in which influential health groups accepted beverage industry donations and then backed away from supporting soda taxes or remained noticeably silent about the initiatives .
the non - alcoholic beverage industry plays an important role in the u. s. economy. our industry has a direct economic impact of more than $ 182 billion, provides nearly 253, 000 jobs and helps to support hundreds of thousands more that depend, in part, on beverage sales for their livelihoods. beverage companies and their employees, and the firms and employees indirectly employed by the industry, provide significant tax revenues - $ 19. 1 billion at the state level and $ 30 billion at the federal level. in addition, the beverage companies that produce and distribute non - alcoholic beverages in the u. s. and their employees contribute $ 1. 5 billion to charitable causes in communities across the nation .
december 5, 2017 marks 84 years since the united states ratified the 21st amendment to the u. s. constitution and paved the way for the modern three - tier beverage alcohol system .
new in - store marketing techniques are being implemented in beverage aisles. companies are working with retailers to change shelf layouts to attract consumer attention toward reduced - calorie options and smaller package sizes .
keybridge estimates that beverage calories per person decreased by 0. 2 percent from 2014 to 2015. two trends combined to bring about this result. there was a 2. 3 percent decrease in calories per 8 - ounce serving, but that decrease was mostly offset by a 2. 2 percent increase in total beverage consumption. declines in the consumption of low - and no - calorie soft drinks also had an impact .
“the beverage industry is using corporate philanthropy to undermine public health measures, ” said kelly d. brownell, dean of the sanford school of public policy at duke, who was not involved in the new research .
“you have a very deep - pocketed influential association coming in and drowning out regular people because they have the resources to do so, ” said denise roth barber, managing director of national institute on money in state politics. “they can easily convince the deciders, whether it’s the citizens or lawmakers. ”
also, our member companies have committed to clearly display the calories in all beverages on the front of the can or bottle as well as on company controlled vending and fountain machines. and, importantly, our member companies are producing fewer total beverage calories for the marketplace through the innovation of more no - and low - calorie beverages. from 1998 - 2008, industry cut the total beverage calories it brought to market by 21 percent .
prepared by keybridge llc, this report describes the product innovations, marketing initiatives and distribution strategies being implemented nationally by the coca - cola company, dr pepper snapple group and pepsico to reach the goal of reducing beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 percent by 2025. the report estimates changes in national beverage consumption from 2014 to 2015, and examines the challenges facing the industry as it seeks to have consumers reduce their calories from beverages .
america’s beverage companies—coca - cola, dr pepper and pepsi—have come together to support your family’s efforts to balance what you eat, drink and do. we know an important part of finding that balance is reducing the sugar from beverages in your family’s diet. so we’re backing you up with ways to make it easier. learn more about what we’re doing through our industry efforts, beverage choices and community support or watch our video stories to see how we’re doing it .
please register to receive instant access to the food and beverage toolkit and downloadable resources (with materials in english and spanish). registration is required so that we may notify you when the toolkit is updated and new resources are added .
the beverage giants coca - cola and pepsico have given millions of dollars to nearly 100 prominent health groups in recent years, while simultaneously spending millions to defeat public health legislation that would reduce americans’ soda intake, according to public health researchers .
artificially sweetened beverages may be linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia, according to a recent study by the american heart association’s peer - reviewed journal stroke. the researchers looked at 2, 888 people over the age of 45 (with a median age of 62) for stroke risks and 1, 484 people over the age of 60 (with a median age of 69) for risk of dementia. after adjustments were made for age, sex, education, caloric intake, diet, exercise, and smoking, they found that diet soda drinks “were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, all - cause dementia, and alzheimer’s disease dementia. ” (the study cites correlation rather than causation. )
associate membership - - available to any person or firm that manufactures or sells any product to, or performs any service for, any person or firm that meets the definition of an active member. annual dues are based on sales to the beverage industry .
“to achieve our goals, we must engage a wide variety of food and beverage companies to be part of the solution, ” the statement said. the soda sponsorship does not have “ any influence on our science and the public policy positions we advocate for. ”
on top of that, the industry trade association and two companies are spending upwards of $ 14 million a year at the federal level, where their public health objectives include opposition to a federal soda excise tax, the newly released and updated nutrition facts label with a line for added sugars, and the dietary guidelines for americans, which proposed a quantitative limit—12 teaspoons a day—for added sugars .
consumption of soda and other sugar - sweetened beverages – fruit drinks, sports drinks, sweetened teas, and energy drinks – may be on the decline, but sugary drinks are still the number one source of calories and added sugars in the american diet. a typical 12 - ounce can of regular cola contains 9 ½ teaspoons of added sugars; a 20 - ounce bottle contains 16 teaspoons of sugar .
aba member companies represent the non - alcoholic beverage industry and the range of products they provide. with everything from regular and diet soft drinks, bottled water and water beverages, 100 percent juice and juice drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready - to - drink teas .
according to convenience store and fuel news, the lawsuit in part alleges that the ban ,
discriminates against speech based on the identity of the speaker, in violation of the first amendment, by expressly prohibiting speech that includes the name of any sugar - sweetened beverage producer .
his firm has also represented dean foods company, whitewave foods, little caesars, the snack food association, and soybean interests. the soda industry has used torrey—who is highly respected in many dc food and agriculture circles—to try and influence government officials and lawmakers on a range of issues in the past, including food stamps policy, the government’s dietary guidelines, and food package labeling issues, disclosures show .
in richmond in 2012 for instance, the aba front group fighting a soda tax referendum on the ballot was called “community coalition against beverage taxes. ” in el monte in 2012 the aba front group was called “el monte citizens against beverage taxes. ” the overall pr campaign is also given a name, and tv ads, campaign websites, and social media accounts are created and commonly themed. because residents only see the front group name or campaign name such as “can the tax coalition, ” the public is not generally aware of that it is industry behind the ads .
local beverage distributors say their sales are down significantly. canada dry of delaware valley, which distributes a range of carbonated drinks, teas and bottled waters in philadelphia says sales are down by about 45 percent. the company has laid off about 30 employees, including drivers and workers who stock the shelves .
for us here at sip & savor, it’s important that we share with our readers important information about what our member companies’ are doing proactively. with these voluntary commitments, the beverage industry is leading the way on issues like public health and marketing to children. and, these voluntary actions will achieve meaningful results .
obesity. caloric beverages contribute to weight gain more than solid foods because the body doesn’t compensate fully for beverage calories by reducing calorie intake from other foods. adults who drink one sugary drink or more per day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than non - drinkers, regardless of income or ethnicity .
last year, our industry announced its clear on calories labeling initiative in support of the first lady’s announcement of her anti - obesity campaign. like our school beverage guidelines, this initiative is yet another way in which our industry is stepping up to do its part on challenging and complex societal issues, such as childhood obesity .
the new york times last year reported that coke had paid for scientific research that downplayed the link between sugary drinks and obesity. after that article was published, the beverage giant released a database showing that since 2010 it had spent more than $ 120 million on academic research and partnerships with health organizations involved in curbing obesity .
philadelphia did ultimately impose a soda tax this year. the beverage industry filed a lawsuit in september, calling the tax illegal. the industry also is spending millions on advertising campaigns against soda taxes that are on the ballot in at least four cities this november – three in northern california, and one in boulder, colo .
the other contributions, disclosed in the new reports, include $ 50, 000 from the american federation of teachers; $ 50, 000 from kenney' s political committee; $ 5, 000 from law firm dilworth paxson l. l. p. ; $ 5, 000 from gay - rights activist mel heifetz; and $ 250 from allison fumo bassman, daughter of vincent j. fumo, the once - powerful state senator who served time in federal prison on corruption charges .
additionally, america' s leading beverage companies follow responsible practices regarding marketing to children that recognize the central role that parents and other caregivers should play in making choices for their children. under guidelines applied globally, companies do not advertise any beverages other than juice, water or dairy - based drinks on programming predominantly aimed at children under 12 .
the balance calories initiative national report on 2015 progress will be complemented in the coming months with a report on the balance calories communities initiative, which aims to achieve a 20 percent per person reduction in beverage calories in eight to 10 select communities where the challenge to meet the goal is believed to be greatest. what is learned in these communities will guide calorie reduction efforts nationwide .
despite the funding of popular programs, the tax is controversial in the city. last fall, a poll from the pew charitable trusts, found 54 percent of residents endorsed the city council' s decision to impose a beverage tax. forty - two percent did not endorse it. a more recent survey commissioned by the industry - funded ax the bev tax coalition found a majority of residents (58 percent) oppose the tax .
the mayor' s office says the city has brought in about $ 12. 3 million in revenues from the first two months of tax collections. the tax is projected to bring in about $ 91 million over 12 months. the mayor' s office says the philly beverage tax will be used to
make much needed investments in pre - k and community schools, as well as in philadelphia parks, rec centers and libraries .
2016 kansas bill hb 2595 / sb 366 preempted local regulation of “food nutrition information, consumer incentive items, food - based health disparities, the growing and raising of livestock or crops, and the sale of foods or beverages, ” according to grassroots change. the author [ 3 ] of the bill was rep. gene suellentrop (r - 27), a member of the american legislative exchange council (alec). campaigners report that some of the language and concepts in this large bill appear to be borrowed from a 2012 alec “model bill” called “ the food and nutrition act, ” which was a response to the mayor bloomberg’s effort to get calorie count labelling in the city of new york. learn more about this bill here .
diet soda sales have tumbled as consumers, turned off by studies on artificial sweeteners, have switched to bottled water, teas and energy drinks, instead. and this not the first study that has made a connection between diet soda to other serious medical issues. several recent studies have linked diet soda and cardiovascular disease and showed a correlation (if not a causation) between cancer and aspartame. the beverage industry says people who are overweight and already at risk for heart disease may consume more diet drinks in an attempt to control their weight and the food and drug administration has ruled that artificial sweeteners are safe .
americans now drink more bottled water than diet soda or traditional soda. bottled - water consumption in the u. s. hit 39. 3 gallons per capita last year, while carbonated soft drinks fell to 38. 5 gallons, marking the first time that soda was knocked off the top spot, according to data from industry tracker beverage marketing corp. but soda is still more expensive, racking up $ 39. 5 billion in retail sales versus $ 21. 3 billion for water, industry research group euromonitor found. “in 2016, bottled water overtook carbonates to become the leading soft drinks category in off - trade volume terms, an astonishing milestone a decade in the making, ” euromonitor concluded .
the study’s authors, michael siegel, a professor at the boston university school of public health, and daniel aaron, a student at boston university’s medical school, scoured public records including news releases, newspaper databases, lobbying reports, the medical literature and information released by the beverage giants themselves. while some of the incidents cited in the study already have been reported by news organizations, the medical journal report is the first to take a comprehensive look at the industry’s strategy of donating to health organizations while at the same time lobbying against public health measures. the study tracked industry donations and lobbying spending from 2011 through 2015, at a time when many cities were mulling soda taxes or other regulations to combat obesity .
total number of lobbyists: 27 total number of revolvers: 18 (66. 7% )
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our publication, nutrition action healthletter, keeps you up - to - date on food safety and nutrition information .
sugar sweetened beverages don' t seem so sweet when you consider their harmful effects on health .
cspi teamed up with legendary ad man alex bogusky, singer jason mraz, and the butler bros. this short film featuring an animated family of polar bears. usa today said “this is the video coca - cola doesn’t want you to see” .
diabetes. persons consuming sugary drinks regularly—one to two cans a day or more—have a 26 percent greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely consume such drinks. the risks are even greater for young adults .
tooth decay. soda consumption is associated with nearly twice the risk of cavities in children and increases their likelihood in adults. untreated cavities can lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss .
heart disease. men who drink one can of a sugary drink per day have a 20 percent higher risk of having a heart attack or dying from a heart attack than men who rarely consume sugary drinks. a related study in women found a similar sugary drink–heart disease link .
a collaboration with alex bogusky, lumenati, and daughters & howard, this video appropriates coca - cola’s legendary “hilltop” ad and features real people suffering from real soda - related diseases .
children and adolescents. youth consumption of carbonated beverages increases by almost 10 percent with every 100 additional television ads viewed .
low - and middle - income countries. while soft - drink sales have decreased in wealthier nations, coca - cola and pepsico have been making up for declining profits by investing heavily in low - and middle - income countries. and the expansion is coming at the expense of people’s lives, from central america to south america, southeast asia to south africa .
does soda = happiness? we built an actual happiness stand in downtown denver and filmed the stunned reactions of passersby who learned the truth about what’s in their soda .
if you drink soda, cut back or stop. diet soda is not without its risks, but does not promote diabetes, weight gain, or heart disease in the way that full - calorie sodas do .
act now to ask restaurants to take soda off kids’ menus, support sugary drink warning labels, or urge cities, states and congress to levy excise taxes on sugar sweetened beverages and invest the revenues in programs to promote the health of their communities and the nation .
customizing labels is fun… but coke shouldn’t customize the truth about their products. # sharehonesty
coming together: translated. coke claimed it was “part of the solution” in an ill - conceived ad campaign called “coming together. ” cspi decided to translate cokespeak into english .
make your voice heard in the halls of congress, in city halls, and in corporate boardrooms .
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a balanced lifestyle is about the choices people make every day regarding what they eat, drink and do. we want people to make informed decisions about the beverages they consume .
changing how business is done, in ways that sustain our planet isn' t just something we say, it' s what we do. we take environmental stewardship seriously .
together, they bring to market hundreds of brands, flavors and packages, including regular and diet soft drinks, bottles water and water beverages, 100 percent juice and juice drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks and ready - to - drink teas .
aba’s scientific research mission is to inform and clarify discussion through scientific inquiry held to the highest standards of integrity. our member companies adhere to voluntary guidelines when it comes to disclosing information about their products and the ingredients they contain .
aba membership consists of franchise companies, production plants, canning facilities, distribution / sales centers and companies that manufacture and sell a full range of products, including packaging, machinery, equipment, ingredients and other services to the industry .
active membership - - available to any person or firm in the united states or its possessions engaged in the manufacture and marketing of non - alcoholic refreshment beverages. it may include all production, distribution or other facilities related to manufacturing and marketing of beverages that are controlled by that person or firm. annual dues are based on sales .
international affiliate membership - - available to any person or firm engaged in the manufacture and sale of refreshment beverages that is not located in the united states or its possessions. annual dues: $ 300 (u. s. dollars )
for further information, please contact aba' s membership team at (202) 463 - 6764 .
“these ferocious competitors, coke, dr pepper and pepsi, have come together in an unprecedented commitment to help us reduce the calories and sugar that we’re consuming from their beverages, and it’s a really big deal. ”
coca - cola, dr pepper, and pepsi have introduced more products with less sugar or no sugar at all .
we’re bringing more choices and less sugar to neighborhoods where obesity is a tough, community - wide challenge .
we’ve recently seen multiple inaccurate stories about the risk of children consuming energy drinks. urltoken (wash .), urltoken (ill .) and wmfd…
last week, three u. s. senators released a report on energy drink consumption which ignored crucial data about energy drinks and caffeine consumption in…
by engaging in communities nationwide, our member companies are offering real solutions to challenging issues. whether it is leveraging our collective marketing and innovation strengths to help consumers reduce their calories by offering more no - and lower - calorie choices or working to further minimize our environmental footprint, we are committed to making a difference. follow us here at sip & savor this week as we will feature some of our leadership initiatives and highlight the various ways we are doing our part to help address complex societal issues .
yesterday, wal - mart announced that the company will work with the first lady on her
let’s move !
campaign. as the nation’s largest grocer, wal - mart has committed to “provide its customers with healthier and more affordable food choices, ” according to a news release .
we commend wal - mart for their involvement with the first lady. and we encourage you to learn more about how our industry is putting calorie information at the fingertips of consumers at every point of purchase .
805 15th street, nw | suite 1120 | washington, dc 20005 | 202. 371. 9792
many u. s. localities have implemented a soda tax to reduce obesity and related public health problems. in each locality, the aba has bankrolled a big dollar pr campaign against the tax .
led by the aba, the soda industry spent $ 48. 9 million on recent soda tax opposition campaigns in cook county, il; philadelphia, pa; boulder, co; san francisco, ca; oakland, ca; seattle, wa, santa fe, nm; and albany, california, according to a november 2017 report [ 1 ] by the watchdog group center for science in the public interest .
the aba itself maintains a strong internet presence with a website, twitter account, facebook account, and youtube account. in addition, the organization creates and maintains a large number of “campaign websites” with linked social media accounts .
below is a list of the some of the more recent aba campaign websites .
because most of the soda taxes that have been implemented were enacted by ballot initiative, the aba has spent most of this money on television advertising campaigns. when the fight shifts to a state measure to preempt these local ordinances, it is likely that the aba will inflate campaign and lobby spending as well in an attempt to influence state lawmakers .
in each locality that introduces a soda tax, the aba quickly sets up a “grassroots” public relations front group whose primary purpose is to shields brand - name soda companies, like coke and pepsi, from responsibility and culpability. the center for media and democracy calls the practice of a big dollar pr industry campaigns acting like an organic grassroots operation “astroturfing. ”
if one industry tactic is to hide behind a front group with a diverse array of spokespersons, another is to use the front groups to shift the terms of the debate or refocus the debate on a different topic altogether. thus, we see aba front groups and ad campaigns working hard to shift the discussion from “soda tax” to “grocery tax” and from the public health impacts of sugary drinks to the “high cost of living. ” many aba ads in soda tax campaigns across the nation pound the “grocery tax” theme, claiming that it hurts small business and all consumers, even those who don’t drink soda. learn more about industry tactics from the center for media and democracy publishers of urltoken in this article bills to ban local soda taxes are moving in the states, coke and pepsi borrow from the tobacco playbook .
when all else fails, powerful industries sometimes move to ban local control of policies they do not like, including nutrition - related policy. in this tactic, industry is taking a page from the big tobacco playbook. tobacco has battled across the nation to preempt all sorts of local tobacco controls, for instance, twelve states preempt local smoke - free ordinances that are stronger than state standards .
there has already been preemption of local ordinances related to nutrition in nine states. [ 2 ]
recent state level bills interfering with local democracy, banning local food and nutrition ordinances including soda taxes.
the american beverage association ( aba ) is a trade organization that represents the beverage industry in the united states . its members include producers and bottlers of soft drinks , bottled water , and other non-alcoholic beverages . the organization was founded in 1919 , and originally named the american bottlers of carbonated beverages . in 1966 , it renamed itself the national soft drink association . then in november 2004 , it changed to its current name , " to better reflect the expanded range of nonalcoholic beverages the industry produces . " 
the american beverage association (aba) is a trade organization that represents the beverage industry in the united states. its members include producers and bottlers of soft drinks, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic beverages. the organization was founded in 1919, and originally named the american bottlers of carbonated beverages. in 1966, it renamed itself the national soft drink association. then in november 2004, it changed to its current name, " to better reflect the expanded range of nonalcoholic beverages the industry produces. "
the american beverage association (aba) is a trade organization that represents the beverage industry in the united states. its members include producers and bottlers of soft drinks, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic beverages. the organization was founded in 1919, and originally named the american bottlers of carbonated beverages. in 1966, it renamed itself the national soft drink association. then in november 2004, it changed to its current name, " to better reflect the expanded range of nonalcoholic beverages the industry produces. "