Pepsi and Co drop adverts for children

By Emily Smith

Date: 26/01/06

Soft drinks companies including Coca Cola and Pepsi are set to stop advertising to European children, it emerged on Wednesday (25 January).

The move, to be completed by the end of the year, was announced as part of a campaign to reduce EU obesity levels, under a European Commission-instigated platform on health, diet and physical activity.

Members of the Union of European Beverages Association (UNESDA) also agreed to develop more low-calorie and calorie-free drinks and to start printing nutritional information on cans.

School vending machines will also no longer be decorated with brand names. In some schools pictures of "healthy, active lifestyles" will be used instead.

"This is the first time ever that the major beverage producers in Europe have come together to jointly define their commitments related to responsible sales and marketing practices, especially to children and schools," said Stephen Kehoe of UNESDA.

Article reports on plans of Members of the Union of European Beverages Association (UNESDA), including Pepsi and Coca-Cola, to stop advertising to European children by the end of 2006.

European Commission: DG Health and Consumer Protection: Public Health: Health Determinants: Life Style: Nutrition: Nutrition policy: Diet, Physical Activity and Health - EU Platform for Action http://ec.europa.eu/comm/health/ph_determinants/life_style/nutrition/platform/platform_en.htm

---