Coke Is Great for You!

Posted by Tana Ganeva, AlterNet at 4:07 PM on April 2, 2009.

Last year, Coca-Cola ran a series of ads in Australia claiming that the sugary soft drink is “kiddy safe,” and doesn't cause obesity or tooth decay.

But Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was not convinced that Coke -- basically carbonated high-fructose corn syrup -- is some sort of magical elixir with no adverse health effects. Today, the consumer watchdog forced the company to run corrective ads in major newspapers throughout Australia, as well as post accurate information on their website.

According to Reuters, ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel said in a statement: "Coke's messages were totally unacceptable, creating an impression which is likely to mislead that Coca-Cola cannot contribute to weight gain, obesity and tooth decay."

How nice that some countries take steps to protect consumers from dangerously misleading advertising! In the U.S., some combination of the FTC and the FDA is technically charged with that task. But, as you’ve no doubt noticed, we’re the country that allows big pharma to stick a serious-looking non-doctor dressed in a doctor’s coat on TV to peddle pills to consumers.

Tagged as: media, advertising, coke, australia, regulation