It was reported by the Associated Press on March 6, 2013 that Coca-Cola wants to aid in fighting obesity by adding stevia which a natural sweetener from the stevia plant.
Coca-Cola will be launching a new Sprite in the UK that has the stevia sweetener, this will replace regular Sprite. Coca-Cola will still keep Sprite Zero which has no calories.
The new Sprite will have 30 calories less than the regular Sprite. Coca-Cola believes this is a start in helping to fight obesity.
Coca-Cola made changes last year in France with Sprite by replacing regular Sprite with a lower calorie version while keeping Sprite Zero since it is calorie free.
Sprite is Coca-Cola's fifth most popular brand in the UK with Coke being number one followed by Diet Coke, Schweppes and Fanta.
Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage maker and felt that they can influence consumers to drink on the lighter side with the new Sprite that has stevia. They also wanted to do something to respond to the government's call to companies to address obesity concerns.
That is why Coca-Cola will be airing an anti-obesity TV ad in the UK. This ad first aired in January in the U.S. The ad received mixed views as some feel that soda does not play a sufficient role in obesity. While other felt that over a certain amount of ounces that aids to the obesity rate because of its sugar content.
The ad explains that obesity “concerns all of us”. It goes on to explain that weight gain is the result of in taking too many calories, not just drinking soda.
On March 12, 2013 New York City’s sugary drinks ban will be in effect, no sugary drink over 16 ounces can be sold at certain places. The drink can’t contain more than 25 calories per 8 ounces.
The ban will be in effect at fast food chains, movie concession stands, restaurants, ball parks, delis and carts along Central Park. Corner stores and bodegas would be affected by the ban only if they are defined by the city as “food service establishment”.
However the ban will not affect beverages such as teas, diet soda, and diary- base drinks such as milkshakes, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages are not affected.
A spokeswoman said the ad will be seen in other countries throughout the year. She stated that the company was still contemplating on bringing Sprite with stevia to the U.S.
However the company has been experimenting with lower caloric version of Sprite and Fanta that uses stevia in select U.S. markets since the summer.
Is reducing the calories the true answer to obesity? Could self-discipline be the issue by watching the calories that we intake in food and drink.
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