“Previous research, including human clinical trials, supports that diet beverages are an effective tool as part of an overall weight management plan.  Numerous studies have repeatedly demonstrated the benefits of diet beverages – as well as low-calorie sweeteners, which are in thousands of foods and beverages – in helping to reduce calorie intake.

We appreciate the work of the 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, and agree that total diet and physical activity must be taken into consideration to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  However, the Committee’s efforts went beyond its charge and authority to develop dietary recommendations based on scientific evidence by advocating for public policies such as taxes and restrictions on foods and beverages. The Committee does not have the authority to make such recommendations, nor the scientific evidence or expertise to back up its recommendations.

“Neither this study nor the body of science shows that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption causes early onset of menarche. What the body of science supports is that adolescent girls are reaching puberty earlier than prior generations; however, there is no scientific consensus concerning the cause of this trend.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced today the winners of 2015 Childhood Obesity Prevention Awards, during its 83rd Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. The awards went to cities with outstanding programs that encourage healthy weight through balanced diet choices and regular physical activity.

“Energy drinks have been enjoyed safely by millions of people around the world for more than 25 years, and in the U.S. for more than 15 years.  Energy drinks, their ingredients and labeling are regulated by the FDA, and, like most consumer products, their advertising is subject to oversight from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Beverage Association today released findings from a new industry-wide initiative that shows the nation’s leading beverage companies will have increased the fuel economy of their fleets by nearly 13 percent since 2010. The findings are the first to emerge from an innovative new collaboration in which The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group agreed to share proprietary data on their truck fleets with the ABA. The ABA aggregates the information to determine how well the industry is doing on fuel consumption and fuel efficiency.

“America’s beverage companies are ahead of the curve when it comes to providing consumers the information they need to make the choices that are right for them.  We have already put clear calorie information on the front of every bottle, can and pack we make, and we’re providing calorie information on company-controlled vending machines.  FDA’s announcement provides consumers nationwide with consistent information about the foods and beverages they consume outside the home.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today named Maia M. Jack, Ph.D., as vice president of science and regulatory affairs for the association.  

“This abstract has not been published and therefore the authors’ full methodology and analysis is not available for review. In the past, various experts have raised concerns regarding misinterpretation and inherent limitations of data from National Poison Data System when it comes to Energy Drinks.  Based on the most recent government data reported in the journal Pediatrics, children under 12 have virtually no caffeine consumption from energy drinks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), was recognized by the Washington Business Journal last evening as one of this year’s 25 “Women Who Mean Business.”  Neely is profiled in today’s edition of the Washington Business Journal.