Soda Sales Slump for 9th Year, Says Beverage Digest

Statement of CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson

March 31, 2014

If obesity rates in the United States have indeed plateaued or leveled off, the gradual decline in soda consumption deserves at least some of the credit. Americans are turning away from sugary drinks (and diet sodas) in ever increasing numbers, as Beverage Digest has documented. We're talking about nutritionally worthless products that provide nothing of value to the diet, but increase one's risk of weight gain, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

While progress has been made in schools, legislators and health officials should take additional steps to drive consumption even further downward, with more aggressive education campaigns, labels warning of obesity and diabetes, limiting sugar content, taxation, and other policies.