Australia’s largest beverage manufacturers make a commitment to accelerate sugar reduction targets to 25 per cent by 2025.
Back in 2018, Asahi Beverages, Coca-Cola South Pacific, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand committed to a sugar reduction target of 20 per cent in all non-alcohol beverages by 2025.
Having already achieved a 16 per cent reduction, last week the Australian Beverage Council Limited (ABCL) announced an upgrade of that previous commitment, now aiming for 25 per cent by the end of 2025.
Geoff Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the ABCL, said it was a mutual decision among its members as a response to the demands of Australian consumers.
“Australian consumers want less sugar and more choices, and Australian beverage companies have responded.
“Sugar reduction is being driven by a range of initiatives, including reformulation, smaller pack sizes, and pledgees investing in more low and no sugar products to meet growing consumer demand.
“Our Sugar Reduction Pledge signatories are accelerating their sugar reduction target not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because they’re ahead on their current sugar reduction targets,”said Parker.
The ABCL represents 95 per cent of the non-alcoholic beverage industry’s volume across the nation, with members including all companies from the largest multinationals to local micro-operations.
The Sugar Reduction Pledge is independently assessed and aggregated by professional auditors KPMG annually. For transparency, a report on progress towards the sugar reduction target will be made public.
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