• January 4, 2008

Consumer organizations in 20 countries are urging Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to limit soft-drink marketing and help stem the global tide of childhood obesity. Letters sent to the beverage giants are the latest salvo in the Global Dump Soft Drinks Campaign launched last fall.

The international effort, spearheaded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), is being supported by the International Association of Consumer Food Organizations, Corporate Accountability International, the International Baby Food Action Network, and other worldwide consumer networks. Representatives from both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have expressed an interest in meeting with CSPI to discuss the campaign's goals, says CSPI.

Consumer groups around the world have recently launched national campaigns. In New Delhi, the Indian Federation of Consumer Organizations announced a campaign on Dec. 24 (National Consumers Day in India); in Malaysia, the Consumers Association of Penang announced a campaign at a press conference on Dec. 14; and in Stockholm, the Swedish Consumers Coalition commenced a campaign on Dec. 10. National campaigns have also been kicked off in Mexico, Australia, Uganda, and Canada.

--Nina M. Lentini