Coke, Pepsi pledge to reduce calories

Major soft drink companies say they will push their smaller sized products more aggressively in an effort to reduce calorie consumption.

Cans of Coca Cola

Major soft drink companies will aggressively market smaller sizes to reduce calorie consumption. (AAP)

Coke, Pepsi and Dr Pepper say they'll work to reduce the calories Americans get from beverages by 20 per cent over the next decade by more aggressively marketing smaller sizes, bottled water and diet drinks.

The announcement was made at the Clinton Global Initiative Tuesday and comes as the country's three biggest soda makers face public pressure over the role of sugary drinks in fuelling obesity.

In many ways, the commitment follows the way customers' tastes are already changing. People have been moving away from soda on their own for several years because of concerns about sugar. But the industry group says the new commitment will accelerate the calorie-cutting.

Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, says the announcement shows "the industry is seeing the writing on the wall".


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