Coke, the real thing, is having its share of troubles of late. Coke Zero has been banned in Venezuela due to perceived concerns about its "harmful' ingredients. Venezuelan Health Minister Jesus Mantilla explained in a statement that, “The product should be withdrawn from circulation to preserve the health of Venezuelans."
The Coca-Cola Company, the largest soft drink manufacturer in the world, insists that Coke Zero contains no harmful ingredients, but will comply with the ban until the issue is resolved.
It is strange to think of Coca-Cola needing to defend its reputation for not having harmful ingredients in its products, considering large amounts of sugar and chemicals are present in many Coke products. But perhaps the most harmful ingredient, is bisphenol A (BPA)?
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is calling on the Coca-Cola Company’s chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent to take immediate steps to reduce children’s exposure to BPA, a toxic chemical used in beverage bottles and beverage can linings.
EWG’s President, Ken Cook explained in a public letter to Muhtar Kent, “…I was very disappointed to read reports in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Washington Post that a Coca-Cola representative joined chemical and food processing company lobbyists in a recent meeting to consider, among other things, the use of “fear tactics” to protect the market for the toxic chemical bisphenol A…”
The letter is in response to an internal industry document obtained by journalists and the EWG that shows a Coca-Cola representative took part in a May 28, 2009 food and chemical industry strategy session at Washington’s exclusive Cosmos Club, during which, according to the document, “Attendees suggested using fear tactics (e.g. ‘Do you want to have access to baby food anymore?’)”. According to EWG, the leaked document suggested that, “Their ‘holy grail’ spokesperson would be a ‘pregnant young mother who would be willing to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA’.”
Visit: http://www.ewg.org/node/28009
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