#MedicalMinute: Coca-Cola Bribs Health Experts Over the Last Five Years

Do you really need another reason to stop drinking Coca-Cola? 

If so, sources has reported last month +Coca-Cola  disclosed its practice of paying researchers and health professionals millions of dollars. It spent $21.8 million to fund pro-industry research and $96.8 million on partnerships with health organizations, including $2.1 million directly paying health experts.

I couldn’t stop wondering — what kind of health expert accepts Coca-Cola funding? Turns out that most are dietitians with a flair for local media outreach — a surprising number of whom could be played by Kristen Wiig in the made-for-TV movie of this scandal.

Of the 115 individuals Coca-Cola admitted to funding, here’s a breakdown:

By sector, 57 percent (65) are dietitians, 20 percent (23) are academics, 7 percent (8) are medical professionals (mostly Doctors), 6 percent (7) are fitness experts, 5 percent (6) are authors, 3 percent (3) are chefs, and 1 percent (1) are food representatives. I was not able to identify sectors for two of the funded experts.

The Coca-Cola website says these health experts were paid travel grants, related expenses and professional fees — but doesn’t disclose what specifically they were being paid for. 

Many of the dietitians seem to be members of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics recruited around the campaign to promote the new mini Coke cans as a healthy snack.

You can uncover more of this scandal here. 

ForeverMeah says... 

I personally don't drink sodas but I posted this for my people who do.