Soda Companies Increase Transparency

Soda Companies React to Anti-Soda Marketing, Increasing Transparency with Calorie Count

In a recent effort to control anti-soda marketing and legislation, soda companies are working to become more transparent by displaying calorie information on vending machines in select U.S. cities. The video below, The Real Bears, is obviously a criticism of the Coca Cola campaign and others like it. Soda companies have recently faced a lot of heat regarding their products and the obesity epidemic in the United States. I think a closer look at the real causes of obesity might redirect concern and activism in a more productive direction.  Many would argue that soda drinking (much like cigarettes and other vices) is a personal choice; therefore, personal responsibility is at the heart of this problem, not soda.  What soda companies need to do, to truly be more transparent and socially responsible, is to create ways to educate the public about their health and diet choices.  After all, the cause of obesity in the U.S. is a deep and complicated issue that can only be addressed by thinking critically about the lifestyle choices we make as citizens of the world. This is a slippery slope, though, because I don’t know where we should draw the line when demanding that companies be socially responsible, when in reality their goal is to make money.

What do you think about this issue? How could the soda companies better respond to this issue? Please share your thoughts!

Here is the Anti-Soda Marketing Video: