In an Australian first, leading non-alcoholic beverage companies have reported that low/no sugar options account for 50 per cent of all sales. In the fourth progress report on the Sugar Reduction Pledge, the Australian Beverages Council says the industry is on track to achieve the target to reduce sugar in non-alcoholic beverages by 20 per cent by 2025.
The 2021 Sugar Reduction Pledge progress report found leading non-alcoholic beverage companies had reduced sugar across their portfolios by more than 16 per cent from 2015 to 2021.
AusBev commissioned KPMG on behalf of Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), PepsiCo, and The Coca-Cola Company to compilethe report.
AusBev CEO Geoff Parker said the sugar reduction pledge is an unprecedented commitment that’s having a positive impact in communities nationwide.
“The non-alcoholic beverages industry is leading the rest of the shopping trolley in working together to take action in encouraging healthier lifestyles while continuing to give Australians more beverage choices with less sugar,” Parker said.
This reinforces consumption trends uncovered in research published last year on more than two decades of drink consumption in Australia, which revealed a long-term shift in Australians’ non-alcoholic drink choices over the period.
Sugar reduction is being driven by the reformulation of existing products, launching new no and low sugar beverages and investing in marketing to drive sales of no and low sugar products.
“We know that our pledge to reduce sugar by 20 per cent plays only a small part in helping address obesity given less than 2 per cent of sugars in Australians’ diets are from full sugar soft drinks.
“Our industry encourages other sectors to develop their own commitments and play their part in addressing this complex health problem,” Parker said.
The Australian Beverages Council Ltd is the peak body representing the non-alcoholic beverage industry. Membership comprises of micro, small, medium-sized, and large companies that collectively produce more than 95 per cent of the industry’s volume. Our members make a substantial $7+ billion contribution to the Australian economy each year, and nationally employ over 46,000FTEs. Every one job in the industry supports 4.9 jobs in the supply chain.
You can listen to the Food & Drink Business podcast episode with AusBev CEO Geoff Parker here.
