Thursday, 30 January 2020, 8:55 amPress Release: Coca Cola

Coca-Cola New Zealand announces 20% sugar reductiongoal across its portfolio by 2025

Auckland, 30 January2020: Coca-Cola New Zealand has announced an ambitious 2025goal to reduce sugar across its portfolio of drinks by 20per cent[1].

This commitment builds upon thecompanys ongoing work to reduce sugar in existing drinks,develop new no and low sugar options, provide smaller packsizes and dedicate significant marketing efforts to promoteno and low sugar alternatives.

Richard Schlasberg,General Manager Coca-Cola Oceania, says the company isserious about taking a leadership position when it comes toproviding choice and reducing the sugar Kiwis consume frombeverages.

Over half our growth has been in low andno sugar drinks in the past two years and we now sell moreCoca-Cola drinks without sugar in supermarkets thanCoca-Cola Classic. In addition, bottled water sales haveincreased 9% and still water sales 13% in the past twoyears, he says.

Since 2017, Coca-Cola New Zealandhas introduced a range of no and reduced sugar productsincluding Powerade Active Water, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Keri50% Less Sugar Fruit Drink, limited-edition Coca-Cola PeachNo Sugar, Deep Spring Light and new 250mL cans for Kiwi Bluesparkling flavoured waters.

In 2020 wereplanning to reduce the sugar in more of our key products aswell as continue to introduce new reduced and no sugardrinks. We also continue to support and promote small packs(300mL or under) and are absolutely committed to ensuringour communications are responsible and appropriate for everyspace and place - ensuring those under 14 are not directlytargeted by our advertising or promotions, he says.

Bruce Sherman, chair of the New Zealand Beverage Council,says it applauds Coca-Cola New Zealand for taking thisimportant step towards further reducing sugar in itsdrinks.

We recently had the Minister of Health respondto the Food Industry Taskforce recommendations about themeasures manufacturers will take, and are already taking,towards encouraging healthy lifestyles. The sugar reductionsteps taken by Coca-Cola New Zealand demonstrates thebeverage industry is already making strong progress in thisarea, Sherman says.

[1] Based on volume weightedaverage sugar content (g per 100mL). Reduction from 2016 to2025. Coca-Cola Oceania (CCO) and Coca-Cola Amatil NZBeverages (CCANZ) portfolio: Carbonated soft drinks, fruitdrinks, fruit juice, iced tea, water and flavoured waters,sports, energy drinks and flavoured milks.

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