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School vs. Soda

PURCHASE, N.Y. PepsiCo just announced that it will cease global sales of full-sugar soft drinks to primary and secondary schools by 2012. Instead, PepsiCo will offer only low-calorie beverages. The policy is already in place in the U.S. We have long advocated for school settings to be made as conducive as possible to promoting the health of students, PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo just announced that it will cease global sales of full-sugar soft drinks to primary and secondary schools by 2012.

Instead, PepsiCo will offer only low-calorie beverages.

The policy is already in place in the U.S.

“We have long advocated for school settings to be made as conducive as possible to promoting the health of students,” PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi said in a statement. “This global policy will serve as an important part of that mission, by expanding our offerings of low-calorie and nutritious beverages.”

Details of the policy were drawn up following discussions with the World Heart Federation in Geneva.

“The World Heart Federation welcomes PepsiCo's announcement that it will launch a new policy on stopping the sale of sugary beverages to schools globally,” Pekka Puska, president of the federation, said in a statement.

Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, also has a policy in place in which it won't sell sugary drinks in primary schools worldwide, unless requested by parents.

It still makes them available in secondary schools, but says it works with school authorities to ensure that a full range of beverages (including water, juices and other beverages in both regular and low-calorie/calorie-free versions) is made available.

“If school authorities ask us to provide vending or cooling equipment, we will make every effort to ensure that such equipment is accompanied by educational information and messages promoting active and balanced lifestyles,” according to Coca-Cola.

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