Center for Science in the Public Interest

For Immediate Release: March 6, 2006

New Study Should Spur Action to Oust Soda, Says CSPI

Statement of CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson

The new Pediatrics report provides dramatic evidence that the empty calories in soda and noncarbonated soft drinks promote weight gain in overweight teenagers.

If the soft drink industry had any respect for children's health, it would extend its recent pull-out from elementary schools and remove soda, "sports" drinks, and other high-calorie beverages from middle and high schools.

School boards and legislatures that haven't ejected soda from all schools already should see this study as another compelling reason why they should do so. The small profit that schools earn from soda sales does not justify a practice that causes health problems in students.

For more information, contact:

Center for Science in the Public Interest
1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009

phone 202.332.9110
fax 202.265.4954