The Coca-Cola Company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, PepsiCo and the American Beverage Association came together at The Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Clinton Foundation in a commitment to reduce the consumption of beverage calories across America.

Specifically, America’s leading beverage companies have set a goal to reduce beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 percent by 2025, according to the alliance.

This is a tremendous undertaking by the industry, one that should be applauded, and also one that will not come easily, reported the alliance, noting the industry will leverage every ounce of their national and local influence, product innovation and marketing muscle to reach this ambitious and necessary goal.

Dr. Howell Wechsler said reducing the number of calories consumed from beverages in the United States is imperative to helping curb obesity. “We commend the beverage industry for making this strong commitment to reducing the number of beverage calories consumed per person by 20 percent,” said Wechsler.

There is no single cause to childhood obesity and therefore no single solution, according to the alliance, noting they make room for everyone at the table by employing a cross-sector strategy that includes working with business.

“With this goal in mind, our work with the American Beverage Association began in 2006, and continued as a partnership that has since resulted in our landmark agreement which reduced the amount of beverage calories shipped to schools by 90 percent. Our announcement today at CGI represents a similar agreement – this time one that will benefit the health and well-being of all Americans,” stated the Alliance.

“We are excited to take this step forward with the American Beverage Association and the world’s leading beverage manufacturers to help Americans reduce the calories consumed by beverages and lead a healthier lifestyle.”

For more information, visit www.healthiergeneration.org.