Coke and the American Academy of Family Practitioners Form Strategic Alliance

Recently, Coke and the AAFP formed an alliance which would allow Coca-Cola Co. to “educate consumers about the role their products can play in a healthy, active lifestyle”. Huh? Coke has products that could be included in a healthy active lifestyle? Would a company sponsor such a thing that would tell it’s consumers that their products were, in fact, bad for you? Well, for the 6 figures Coke paid to the AAFP for this, I doubt if their is going to be a condemnation of their products on the AAFP information. I can see it now, “4 out 5 doctors recommend Diet Coke as part of an active, healthy lifestyle”. Next we will have Omega-3 Coke.

I believe this sends a mixed message to consumers that are already having severe health challenges associated with poor diet. Coke is not a company that represents improvements in health in any way. They are protecting their bottom line here, trying to associate themselves with a health organization, while benefiting from the buzz marketing that such a controversial alliance will bring.  Many others agree with this line of thinking and have written a letter condemning the AAFP for allowing the sponsorship.  This group of 22 prominent health and nutrition experts wrote:

“Because of the kinds of products it markets, Coca-Cola Co. is desperate to burnish its soiled reputation…which is why it is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to have a relationship with your organization…We urge the AAFP to regain its credibility by rejecting the deal with Coca-Cola.”

Executive vice president of the AAFP Douglas Henley was quoted as saying:

“Our alliance with The Coca-Cola Company gives the AAFP the opportunity to provide consumers with fact-based information on beverages and how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle via FamilyDoctor.org…The AAFP and The Coca-Cola Company share a commitment to inform consumers, as well as medical professionals, about best practices for good health. And we will move forward with this commitment together by providing educational materials on sweeteners and how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle while still enjoying many of the foods and beverages consumers love.”

What we need most right now is change, in order to achieve better health as a community. This is a suggestion that we can achieve better health while still enjoying the foods and beverages that we have come to love. What? How does that work? I wish someone would clue me in as to how we can have better health without eliminating these products from our diets. Doing the same things while expecting different results is insanity. It’s time to put a stop to the insanity.

Whatever their recommendations are, if you are truly seeking better health to compliment an active lifestyle, stop drinking sodas or any other drinks that are tainted with chemicals that hasten the disease process. If you are thirsty drink water.

Please, write in and tell us what you think.