n the diet due to their hydration properties.***
* Canadean statistics
** SSD Europe
Variety and Choice
The European soft drinks industry is committed to providing a range of products for consumers to choose from. It recognises that it must act responsibly, particularly in relation to more vulnerable groups in society such as children. As a part of this commitment the industry has taken action in four key areas, mirroring WHO strategy:
- product innovation and reformulation to offer a wide variety and choice of no-and low-calorie drinks;
- no advertising to children under 12 on TV, in print or online;
- no sales in primary schools across Europe, and sales in secondary schools to offer a full range of drinks options in unbranded machines;
Guideline Daily Amount labelling across branded products in order that customers can make informed choices about the products they buy for themselves and their families.
UNESDA, representing the European Soft Drinks Industry, was one of just four organisations to be named and praised by the EU Commissioner for Health for its actions to address obesity and healthy lifestyles. It was particularly commended for the way it had appointed independent auditors to monitor its compliance with the commitments it has made.
Lifestyle and Exercise
UNESDA follows medical opinion and believes that balanced diets and active lifestyles are the key to a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Exercise and physical activity play a key role in this and UNESDA members have committed to work at both European and national level to promote physical activity and encourage consumers to keep active. UNESDA members provide practical and financial support to initiatives such as fun days, marathons and city runs, working with local authorities and sporting organisations.
They also practice what they preach and have significant internal programmes to drive exercise and healthy lifestyles among their own staff.
The European soft drinks industry was the first to adopt Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) based nutrition labelling as an entire sector back in 2007.
GDAs are science based and rely on nutrition recommendations from a panel of experts established by the European Commission. They allow consumers to evaluate a product’s place in the daily diet and empower them to compose a balance diet adapted to their individual needs.
Independent research by the European Food Information Council found that more than 80% of consumers in Germany, France and the UK were able to determine which product was the most healthy by using GDAs.
UNESDA corporate members’ products carry the following labelling.
UNESDA members recognise that the sector has a role to play in taking up its responsibility to manage resources and reduce waste throughout its production processes and distribution activities. Soft drinks is a predominantly local industry in Europe and we aim to respond to local consumer needs, both in terms of taste and convenience. The majority of ingredients used in our beverages are sourced locally and production is situated relatively close to the markets and consumers it serves, resulting in low food miles.
Crucially of course, our products are used for hydration, and as such water is a key ingredient. The conservation of water is something that we take very seriously and are working hard to address. Packaging too is a key resource for the industry and we have taken a number of steps to introduce sustainable packaging policies as well as effective systems for reduction, recovery and recycling.
Innovation and investment in the area of environmental sustainability will continue to be a key priority for the industry in the years ahead.
The soft drinks industry is highly innovative with some 40% of the products on sale today having been introduced in the past five years.
Soft drinks myths
Carbonated soft drinks are very high in calories.
Fact: A regular soft drink in a 330ml can contains around 139 calories. The recommended calorie intake per day is 2500 for men and 2000 for women. No and low-calorie versions now account for up to 30% of total 