This study confirms that diet beverages can be an important tool in helping reduce calories and directly counters the illogical assertion that drinking diet beverages causes people to eat more or to want sweet foods and beverages.

“Everyone has a role to play in reducing obesity levels – a fact completely ignored in this petition. This is why the beverage industry has worked to increase options and information for consumers, Today about 45 percent of all non-alcoholic beverages purchased have zero calories and the overall average number of calories per beverage serving is down 23 percent since 1998.  Beverage companies voluntarily removed full-calorie soft drinks from all schools and replaced them with lower-calorie choices, resulting in a 90 percent reduction in beverage calories shipped to schools since 2004. Beverage companies voluntarily added calorie labels to the front of all their packages, making it easier than ever for consumers to know how many calories are in their beverage choice before making a purchase.  Americans are consuming 37 percent fewer calories from sugar in soft drinks and other sweetened beverages than in 2000, according to the CDC.   

In response to “Artificial Sweeteners Versus Regular Mixers Increase Breath Alcohol Concentrations in Male and Female Social Drinkers,” a paper appearing in the April issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

In response to “Energy Drinks: What Teenagers (and Their Doctors) Should Know,” an article to be published in the February issue of Pediatrics in Review, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

“The DAWN Report is more sensational than substantive.  The report suggests that of the 136 million emergency room visits in a year, less than two one-hundredths of a percent are allegedly associated with energy drinks.  Of that amount, 42 percent were by someone who had admitted to consuming alcohol or taking illegal substances or pharmaceuticals.  In addition, we know nothing about the overall health of these individuals, if they had consumed other caffeinated products, taken medications or accurately self-reported any of the above. Nor do we know what symptoms or incidents brought them to the ER in the first place.  Without this information it’s impossible to understand the actual role – if any – of energy drinks in these hospital visits. 

“This report does not share information about the overall health of those who may have consumed energy drinks, or what symptoms brought them to the ER in the first place.  In fact, it shows that 42 percent of the reported ER visits were by someone who had admitted to consuming alcohol or taking illegal substances or pharmaceuticals.  However, there is no way to assess whether any of the remaining individuals chose not to report this fact, and the consumption of those substances along with energy drinks means the energy drinks may be irrelevant.  Additionally, there is no basis by which to understand the overall caffeine intake of any of these individuals – from all sources, from coffee or other caffeinated products.   Importantly, caffeine has been deemed safe for consumption by the FDA and most mainstream energy drinks contain about half the caffeine of a similarsize cup of coffeehouse coffee.”

“We may be in a new year, but there is nothing new about the ways our critics try to attack our industry.  This research is nothing more than an abstract – it has not been peer-reviewed, published or even, at the very least, presented at a scientific meeting.  Furthermore, neither this abstract nor the body of scientific evidence supports that drinking soda or other sweetened beverages causes depression.  Thus, promoting any alleged findings without supporting evidence is not only premature, but irresponsible.”

"It’s important to note that the series of articles in the British Medical Journal exhibited a clear bias by overlooking widely accepted research on sports drinks.  Furthermore, suggesting that industry-funded nutrition-related scientific studies may bias conclusions fails to look at the merits of the science in those studies and disregards the integrity of the peer-review process enforced by the highly regarded scientific journals. Importantly, we know hydration is essential for good health, and science clearly shows that the water, carbohydrates and electrolytes in sports drinks provide significant hydration and athletic performance benefits. Furthermore, our member companies' marketing makes it clear that these functional beverages are formulated for athletes and those who are physically active. However, sports drinks – which are available in a range of calories - can also be an option for those who are working out, training, exposed to high temperatures or simply seeking refreshment as part of an active and healthy lifestyle."

In response to "Emergency Department Visits Involving Energy Drinks," a paper appearing in today's issue of The DAWN Report, the American Beverage Association issued the following statement:

On America Recycles Day and every day, the non-alcoholic beverage industry is committed to further minimizing its environmental footprint by reducing, reusing and recycling. "Our industry's commitment to recycling shows not only through our 100 percent recyclable packaging, but also through our efforts to minimize waste and to support recycling programs," said Susan Neely, American Beverage Association president and CEO.