WASHINGTON—America's non-alcoholic beverage companies are joining forces to make the calories in their products even more clear and consumer-friendly by putting the information on the front of all their packages, vending machines and fountain machines. The industry will start implementing the initiative nationwide this year with completion in 2012.
The voluntary commitment contributes to First Lady Michelle Obama’s call for innovative industry initiatives that contribute to her healthy families program. The companies will coordinate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the calorie initiative, which will go above and beyond what is required by the federal agency's food-labeling regulations.
"The beverage industry is taking the extra step of making the calories on its products more clear and useable for consumers so they can make balanced choices wherever they purchase our products," Susan Neely said. "By contributing to the First Lady's initiative, our industry is once again leading with a meaningful program to do its part in addressing social challenges. We applaud Mrs. Obama for her common-sense, balanced approach to a tough issue like childhood obesity, which will require contributions from all segments of society to fully tackle."
The beverage industry also is committing to continue reducing the beverage calories in the marketplace through innovation, smaller portion sizes and further marketing of their low-calorie beverages.