Reference

CBS 5 asked Coca-Cola to answer some additional questions related to its partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Here are the responses from Coca-Cola Media Spokesperson Diana Garza Ciarlante:

CBS 5: Several doctors in the Bay Area have resigned from the American Academy of Family Physicians because of its partnership with Coca Cola for producing educational materials. Today the California Academy of Family Physicians is asking AAFP to end that partnership. What is Coke's response to the doctors' protests and CAFP's announcement?

DGC: There are unfortunately some misguided perceptions out there as to what this partnership aims to do and the value it will bring to Americans. Our shared goal with AAFP has always been to provide people with fact-based information on beverages, their ingredients and sweeteners. That is exactly what this partnership aims to do --- provide science-based information and educational content that will be reviewed and published by AAFP's independent editorial board. The partnership is very straight forward and it will ultimately help educate Americans to make thoughtful, sensible decisions about what they choose to eat and drink.


CBS 5: Contra Contra County Health Director Dr. William Walker told CBS 5 that soft drinks are a major contributor to childhood obesity and diabetes and therefore this partnership hurts AAFP's credibility. Coke's response?

DGC: Obesity is a complex issue and no one food or product is the sole contributor. The consumer alliance partnership we have with AAFP is just one of many ways in which we are working with partners in the health community, with government, educators and industry to find solutions that work for everybody.


CBS 5: Dr. Walker says "Physicians are partnering with a beverage industry which is fact killing our kids." Coke's response?

DGC: The Coca-Cola Company has been a long time supporter of the AAFP and the AAFP Foundation. This new alliance is a natural progression of our long-standing partnership. As the world's #1 most recognized brand, Coca-Cola understands its responsibility to help consumers make more informed and balanced choices. Our shared goal with AAFP in this partnership is to provide consumers with fact-based information on beverages, their ingredients and sweeteners.


CBS 5: Dr. Walker says soft drinks are comparable to cigarettes in terms of their health dangers. Coke's response?

DGC: I have been enjoying the great, refreshing taste of Coca-Cola all my life as has my husband and son. Our family eats well, stays active and we enjoy our favorite soft drinks because we live active balanced lives.


CBS 5: Dr. Walker says soft drinks need to be taxed and regulated like cigarettes, to mitigate health issues. Coke's response?

DGC: A tax won't address the obesity problem because singling out one product won't make a dent in solving the complexity of the obesity issue. Here what would make a difference: get past the name-calling and demonization of individual products and actually come together -- business, public health community, government and civil society as a whole -- and agree to set aside our differences in order to work together to devise solutions that work for Americans. How refreshing that would be!

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