Coca-Cola, Pepsi Agree to Cut Sugar in France

Coca-Cola and Pepsi have agreed to lower the amount of sugar in their beverages in France by next year and limit advertising aimed at young children.

Local units of Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Orangina Schweppes and juice bottler Refresco Gerber signed an agreement to cut sugar in nonalcoholic beverages an average of 5% in the 2010-2015 period, France’s Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday.

According to reports, France has a running campaign to encourage healthier eating and in 2011 introduced rules to improve nutritional quality of meals in school canteens. Adult obesity in the country more than doubled between 1990 and 2010, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

“The industry’s commitment reflects its willingness to improve the range of food offered to French consumers, in the knowledge that soft drinks contribute about 6 percent to 8 percent of sugar intake,” the ministry said.

The companies also reportedly agreed to stop advertising on television or Internet where 35 percent or more of the audience consists of children under 12.