We've heard that elected officials in Boston are considering removing sugar-sweetened beverages from vending machines in municipal buildings. Some city officials claim that this is in an effort to cut the obesity rate in the city.  We agree that obesity is a serious public health challenge, but the approach of haphazardly banning products is misguided.  Outright bans do nothing to teach people about balance and moderation.  Rather, they are overly simplistic and inaccurately target one product or ingredient as the cause of obesity.

Science and common sense tell us that singling out one product will not work to solve a problem as complex as obesity. Education and calorie balance are the keys to a healthy lifestyle.

Earlier this year, America's leading beverage companies announced Clear on Calories.  In support of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move anti-obesity campaign, our member companies have committed to clearly displaying the full calorie count in all our beverages right on the front of the can or bottle as well as on company controlled vending and fountain machines.  This means that every time a consumer touches one of our products, they will have the calorie information at their fingertips.

Our industry is proud to be helping consumers get the information they need to make informed choices.  We believe initiatives like this will result in positive changes far greater than outright bans could ever achieve.