An American university announced on November 6, Friday that it would return a $1 million grant from Coca-Cola after discovering the funds had established an advocacy group that tried to play down the connection between soft drinks including those in Coke cans, and obesity. In 2014 the multi-national corporation had made the big contribution to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Its goal was to start a non-profit group that encouraged people to exercise more, and focus less on the food they eat and the beverages they drink such as fizzy sodas.
The Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN) was made up of a group of scientists. In a video announcing the GEBN, a leader argued that the media focuses too much on fast food and sugary drinks, according to ABC News.
In August the New York Times reported that critics complained the soft drink giant was supporting the researchers in order to control obesity research. Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent responded to the NYT article. He reported that since 2010 the soft drink giant had spent nearly $120 million on academic health research, and various medical and community anti-obesity advocacy groups.
Kent mentioned two large Coke contributions. They included $3 million to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and $1.7 million to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Both groups have cut their ties to the soda company, according to The New York Times.
The University of Colorado made a public statement. It shared it was returning the $1 million GEBN startup money to Coca-Cola because the beverage company had drawn attention away from its goal to help people. The institute noted that obesity and other health issues are important for public health and individuals' medical care.
Coke then made an official statement. It shared it will donate the returned grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is an advocacy group that in August widely distributed a letter signed by 37 scientists, which accused GEBN of marketing "scientific nonsense." It praised the university for returning the Coke money.
Coca-Cola became a United States registered trademark in 1944. Its name refers to two of its original ingredients: coca leaves and kola nuts.
Here are some of the health effects of drinking sodas: