New York – Soft Drink Makers Rip City: Go After Cake, Not Sugary Beverages

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    Makers of soft drinks claim the citys graphic new subway ads aimed at fighting obesity have unfairly singled out their products.New York – Soft-drink makers yesterday threw cold soda on Mayor Bloomberg’s latest anti-obesity campaign — graphic subway ads slamming sugary beverages, iced teas and sports drinks as fattening.

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    “It’s absurd and over the top and unfortunately is going to undermine efforts to educate about a serious and complex issue like obesity,” argued Kevin Keane, a senior vice president at the American Beverage Association.

    “It just defies science and common sense to single out a single product as the contributor of obesity.”

    The grotesque ads show the contents of three unnamed bottles — which closely resemble distinctive Coca-Cola, Snapple and Gatorade containers — morphing into yellow gobs of human fat as they are poured into glasses of ice.

    The ad reflects a change of heart by the city about Snapple — at one time, Bloomberg gave the company exclusive rights to sell beverages in city schools and municipal buildings.

    Keane noted that New Yorkers were adamantly opposed to Gov. Paterson’s suggestion of a tax on sugary drinks earlier this year.

    He said obesity results from consuming excessive calories, no matter where they come from.

    “Why not educate them on all calories and how all calories affect one’s weight, because they do?” he said. “Why aren’t they going after cake? Why single out soft drinks?”

    City officials defended the subway campaign.

    “We focus-grouped [the ads], and we didn’t find that they alarmed people. We found that they had an effect on people, that it was yuck, and it caused them to pay attention to what we were saying,” said Cathy Nonas, the city Department of Health’s director of physical activity and nutrition programs.

    “It’s just horrifying to see how many preschoolers are drinking these sugar-sweetened beverages.”

    Nonas attributed half of the average daily calorie increase of 250 over the last three decades to sugary soft drinks, and she said sports drinks are often misused.

    “In terms of physical activity, if you look at any sports nutrition, water is the most important thing before, during and after an event,” Nonas said.

    The three-month ad campaign cost $277,000 in taxpayer money and $90,000 from a private donor.

    Despite the latest assault, a vending machine in City Hall yesterday continued to offer 20-ounce bottles of non-diet sodas.


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    27 Comments
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    Askupeh
    Askupeh
    14 years ago

    It’s interesting that they are focusing on sugar which if taken in moderation should not be a problem for most people, instead of on what some consider poison in many drinks called “high fructose corn syrup which has never seen sugar, and is a cheap way (pun intended) of sweetening a drink.

    Disgusting Politics
    Disgusting Politics
    14 years ago

    Now the Democrat Politicians are coming for food products they believe are “bad” for you. Next they will come after kosher meat because schitah it is “cruel.” Then Jewish Yeshivah Education becuase it teaches “discrimination.” Then they will outlaw YOU.

    chulenteater
    chulenteater
    14 years ago

    That’s why we drink heimesh mayim chaim! Its blessed by the rebbes and sont have these issues. You don’t see the ads having bottles of mayim chaim

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Nunber 1, great point. Also, I think Coke should make a study of how much business they lose due to these ads and sue for libel and the amount it cost them. This is big government targeting private entities.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Nunber 1, great point. Also, I think Coke should make a study of how much business they lose due to these ads and sue for libel and the amount it cost them. This is big government targeting private entities.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Don’t forget this stupidity on election day. This bum must go.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    they should go after cakes and sugary drinks . great point. good bye entemmens

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    why slam coke pepsi has more suger

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    It’s fascinating how some members of the nation commanded to chose life hate it when someone protests something healthy, whether it’s limiting sugar or salt or fat or promoting exercise and bike riding, or banning cell phones in cars. Remember how people used to defend the “right” to smoke wherever and whenever you want.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    I’m all for this. The people who are complaining about this must not have been next to an obese person on a subway, train, bus, plane, or any other mass transit vehicle. I’m all for having people next to me that aren’t covering my armrest with their fatty smelly mass.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    america dies on dunkin – the doctor who wrote that got fired! but it is true