Coca Cola is distorting the debate on sugar, a hard-hitting editorial in The Times today alleges.
The newspaper also publishes the findings of its own investigation into the way the company funds scientists and research bodies.
The Times reports that the soft drinks giant has “poured millions of pounds into British scientific research and healthy eating initiatives to counter claims that its drinks help to cause obesity”.
The newspaper says that Coca Cola has financial links to more than a dozen British scientists, including government health advisers and others “who cast doubt on the commonly accepted link between sugary drinks and the obesity crisis”.
The Times report singles out the company’s funding of European Hydration Institute, an organization that has a stated mission of “raising awareness of hydration for health, wellness and performance” but which specifically encourages consumption of soft drinks.
Simon Capewell, a board member of the Faculty of Public Health, tells the newspaper: “Coca Cola is trying to manipulate not just public opinion but policy and political decisions. Its tactics echo those used by the tobacco industry and alcohol industries, which have also tried to influence the scientific process by funding apparently independent groups.”
In a hard-hitting editorial, The Times asserts that Coca Cola has made “systematic efforts … to undermine solid science on the health implications of too much sugar”.
Coca Cola of Great Britain told the newspaper: “We rely on scientific research to make decisions about our products and ingredients and commission independent third parties to carry out this work”.
