Leading drinks companies cut sugar by 7% in first progress report on industry sugar reduction pledge
Non-alcoholic drinks industry’s progress demonstrates commitment to sugar reduction and more beverage choices.
Monday 25 November 2019, 11:05AM, CANBERRA: Australia’s largest beverage companies have marked a major milestone by announcing a seven per cent reduction[1] in sugar in the first progress report on the beverage industry’s flagship initiative.
The signatories to the pledge, Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, Coca-Cola Amatil, Coca-Cola Australia and PepsiCo Australia, have contributed to the reduction in sugar across their portfolios, and more drinks companies are expected to join in the future.
In June 2018, with the support of the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Australia’s non-alcoholic beverage industry committed to reduce sugar across the industry by 20 per cent by 2025.
KPMG has provided the first report on the industry’s progress towards the sugar reduction goal and today this has been shared with the Australian Government.
Mr Geoff Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Beverages Council, said, “Today’s report is a further sign that the industry is serious about reducing sugar in beverages while continuing to offer greater choice of low-sugar drinks and many without any sugar at all.”
“The industry is achieving its intended sugar reduction targets and is already more than one third of the way towards reducing sugar by 20 per cent by 2025, but there’s still a lot of work ahead of us,” he said.
The Australian Government supports the non-alcoholic beverage industry’s progress towards a 20 per cent reduction in sugar by 2025 with Minister Hunt congratulating the industry on its progress in an announcement at Parliament House today.
“The Morrison Government supports pragmatic and appropriate action to tackle obesity, particularly through initiatives that support Australians to live healthier lives,” said Minister Hunt.
“The partnership between the industry and the Morrison Government is a clear sign that collaborative solutions are available to tackle the complex issue of obesity by encouraging healthy diets.”
The Australian Beverages Council will continue to consult widely with a range of health, industry, supplier and government stakeholders to increase understanding of the commitment.
Mr Parker said, “The non-alcoholic beverage industry invites other sectors to join the Australian Beverages Council in reducing sugar while continuing to support choice and understanding of healthy lifestyles,” added Mr Parker.
Today’s report, demonstrates the industry’s long-term commitment to reduce sugar by 20 per cent by 2025, complements a national obesity strategy, encourages all Australians to live healthier lives and reflects our contribution to combat obesity.
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Note to the Editor:
The Australian Beverages Council engaged KPMG to aggregate the industry’s results and report on the industry’s performance on an annual basis through to 2025. The sugar reduction pledge applies to all categories of non-alcoholic drinks represented by Members of the Australian Beverages Council that have signed the pledge.
For further information or to speak with Mr Geoff Parker, CEO, Australian Beverages Council:
Mr Shae Courtney
Australian Beverages Council
M: 0420 736 136
E: shae@ausbev.org
Mr Kurt Graham
Sefiani – Public Affairs Representatives of the Australian Beverages Council
M: 0431 478 558
E: kgraham@sefiani.com.au
The Australian Beverages Council
The Australian Beverages Council is the peak body representing the collective interests of the non-alcoholic beverages industry. We strive to advance the industry as a whole, as well as successfully represent the range of beverages produced by our members. These include carbonated regular and diet soft drinks, energy drinks, sports and isotonic drinks, bottled and packaged waters, fruit juice and fruit drinks, cordials, iced teas, ready-to-drink coffees, flavoured milk and flavoured plant milk. The unified voice of the Australian Beverages Council offers our members a presence beyond individual representation in order to promote fairness in the standards, regulations, and policies concerning non-alcoholic beverages. The Australian Beverages Council introduced a dedicated juice division, Juice Australia (formerly Fruit Juice Australia), in 2009 and a dedicated water division, the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI), in 2011.
[1] 7 per cent reduction in sugar has been achieved by average reductions in total grams of sugar per 100mL and includes the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018.