Throughout the examine interval, one or each of the businesses lobbied towards 29 proposed public well being payments or laws meant to cut back soda consumption.
“Now, most organizations refuse tobacco cash,” the examine authors wrote. “Maybe soda firms needs to be handled equally.”
The Put up mentioned Coca-Cola and PepsiCo didn’t reply to a request for remark concerning the examine, however an announcement was offered by the American Beverage Affiliation, which represents the 2 firms.
“America’s beverage firms are engaged in public well being points as a result of we, too, desire a sturdy, wholesome America. We’ve a protracted custom of supporting neighborhood organizations throughout the nation. As this report factors out, a few of these organizations concentrate on strengthening public well being, which we’re proud to assist,” the assertion mentioned.
Aaron and Siegel started investigating the difficulty greater than a 12 months in the past after noticing soda sponsorships for varied well being occasions. They had been stunned to find the variety of sponsorships the 2 soda makers offered to well being and medical teams, the Put up reported.
The examine raises issues that the businesses are utilizing sponsorships to silence potential critics.
Save the Kids was a powerful supporter of soda taxes till 2010, when it obtained a $5 million grant from Coca-Cola. The teams denies the grant influenced its coverage, the Put up reported.
