Beverage Companies Spent More than $1 Billion in Advertising for Sugary Drinks and Energy Drinks in 2018
June 23, 2020
Beverage companies spent $1.04 billion to advertise sugary drinks and energy drinks in 2018, a 26% increase compared to 2013, according to Sugary Drinks FACTS 2020, a new report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut. The report documents continued extensive targeted advertising of sugary drinks by beverage companies directed to Black and Hispanic youth, which contributes to health disparities affecting communities of color.
Sweetened Drinks Represented 62% of Children's Drink Sales in 2018
October 16, 2019
Fruit drinks and flavored waters that contain added sugars and/or low-calorie (diet) sweeteners dominated sales of drinks intended for children in 2018, making up 62% of $2.2 billion in total children’s drink sales, according to Children’s Drink FACTS 2019, the latest report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. In contrast, the report found that healthier drinks, such as 100% juice, represented 38% of children’s drink sales that year.
In The News
Articles
Are Sugary Substitutes Hiding in Kid-Friendly Foods?
October 29, 2019
In an effort to clear up confusion and promote transparency, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a new policy statement on Oct. 28 on the consumption of sugar substitutes (also called non-nutritive sweeteners) by children.
Consumer Reports
How Children Get Hooked on Sugary Drinks
October 22, 2019
Misleading marketing and labeling may confuse parents about the health value of many juices, a new report finds.
New York Times
Sugary Drinks Made up Over 60% of Children's Drink Sales Last Year
October 17, 2019
Despite policies that have been created with the goal of limiting kids’ sugar intake via sweetened drinks, a new study conducted by researchers from the UConn Rudd Center identified a trend among young people’s beverage choices.
Consumer Affairs
Top 34 Best Selling 'Fruit' Drinks for Kids Deemed Unhealthy
October 16, 2019
Americans spent $1.4 billion on the most popular brands of children’s fruit drinks and flavored waters last year. Yet according to nutritional guidelines, none of the drinks were healthy.
CNN
None of Top Selling Kids' Drinks Meet Experts' Health Recommendations
October 16, 2019
Drinks marketed to children often contain loads of unhealthy sugars and sweeteners, and they come in packages that deliver too-large servings, a new report finds.
HealthDay
Best-selling 'Fruit' Drinks for Kids Deemed Unhealthy in New Study: "Parents Tell Me They've Been Tricked"
October 16, 2019
An eye-opening study that looked at children’s popular sweetened fruit drinks found that they are often loaded with added sugar or contain artificial sweeteners (and in some cases, both).
Yahoo!
Kids and Sugary Drinks: How Clever Packaging Can Deceive Parents
October 16, 2019
Though the science has shown sugary drinks are not healthy for children, fruit drinks and similar beverages accounted for more than half of all children’s drink sales in 2018, according to a new report.
Healthline