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By Phillipine Mtikitiki
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all South Africans about the importance of health and brought the essential nature of our food and drink industry into sharp focus. The current pandemic has made tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) even more urgent, including diet-related risk factors.
Coca-Cola in South Africa believes that while sugar is fine in moderation, too much of it isn’t good for anyone and we embrace the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines that people should limit their intake of added sugar to no more than 10% of their total energy/calorie consumption.
We have made progress on our efforts to evolve our recipes and reduce sugar. Since 2016 we have reduced sugar across our portfolio by 26% and we continue to offer a variety of drinks in smaller pack sizes, to assist people with choice and portion control. We’ve also taken voluntary actions by providing clear and easy to understand nutrition information about what’s inside our drinks so people can make informed choices.
More than ever, Coca-Cola in South Africa, alongside its bottling partners Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, is committed to supporting government in tackling NCDs, particularly obesity, and to create healthier food and more sustainable food environments. This includes addressing concerns about the availability and marketing of our products in our nation’s primary and secondary schools.
Our Responsible Marketing Policy prohibits us from marketing any of our products to children who are twelve years and under. We also respect the right of parents and caregivers to make choices for their children.
In addition, we support a commercial-free environment for schools. We do this by ensuring that we do not market or sell any of our products in primary schools and secondary schools unless requested by the school. So far, we have removed branding from approximately 70% of school fridges, with a delay in progress of this project due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are on the journey of ensuring 100% compliance on this commitment.
We have also made progress on our commitment to remove branded signage at primary schools, such as school name boards, nationwide across South Africa. In areas where a school name board has not been removed, we urge consumers to contact us on 0860 112 526, so we can remove these.
We have committed to the food and beverage industry’s Healthy Food Options Industry Initiative (HFO) led by the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa.
The HFO Forum is a partnership with the Department of Health to develop and drive Healthy Food Options Initiatives that are aimed specifically at promoting healthy eating habits to manage obesity.
We do believe that it is also important to recognise the complexity of the challenge that is obesity. This requires policies that are harmonised, inclusive and science-based, providing predictability, and enabling the long-term economic viability of all players in the food chain.
We know we can’t achieve our goals alone. Coca-Cola and its bottling partners will continue to scale efforts with the food and beverage industry in partnership with government, recognising that collective action is needed to make a meaningful impact in tackling obesity. As South Africa charts a way forward, we believe that all stakeholders, including government, civil society and industry need to act together.
Phillipine Mtikitiki is the Vice President of Coca-Cola’s South Africa Franchise.
This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Coca-Cola's South Africa Franchise.
