Coke downplays trend to health- consciousness

CEBU, Philippines - Softdrinks manufacturer Coca-Cola remains unfazed by the growing health-conscious trend among consumers, who are now opting for healthy beverages instead of the sweetened carbonated drinks that are most often linked to health problems.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines president Bill Schultz expressed confidence that the proven tradition of linking Coca Cola to celebration, then happiness will continue, adding that Coca Cola softdrink for instance is made up purely of natural ingredients.

Despite the threat of declining patronage of softdrink drinkers due to health effects, he said sales in the Philippines for instance has continued to soar, the reason why the company decided to expand its operations in the country with US$1 billion capital expenditure in the next five years.

 Besides, he said for those that are health-conscious the world’s largest beverage maker has wide array of products to choose from and that includes health drinks.

For sugar conscious consumers, he said Coca Cola is making sure to provide less sugar and zero calorie beverage drinks such as Coke Diet, among others.

He said that Coca-Cola softdrink in fact, balances diet, excess consumption however, is no longer advisable.

The Atlanta –based Coca-Cola Company, is the world’s largest beverage maker, with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola (soft drink), the company’s portfolio of beverages include other 14 billion dollar brands, such as Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, Vitaminwater, Powerade and Minute Maid.

He said Filipinos are one of the world’s strong Coca-Cola brand consumers, may it be for its softdrink products, of other beverages.

For its softdrink, he said any threat in linking it to some health problems like diabetes, has not affect the products’ sales performance over the years, he said.

Recently, the company opened its expanded manufacturing plant in Mandaue City, to cope up with the increasing demand for Coca-Cola products in Cebu and some parts of the Visayas.

He said the Philippines is one of the fastest growing markets for Coca-Cola in Asia, thus the company Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 million servings a day. 

In the Philippines, the company has a total of 19 bottling manufacturing plants, Finan said the Philippines’ plants’ performance is one of the best in its worldwide operation.

Now, on its 100th year in the Philippines, Finan said the company is more committed to expand in the Philippines, while its people’s love for Coca-Cola products is more and more surprising over the years.

The Philippines was the first non-US nation to receive a Coca-Cola bottling and distribution franchise. Today, the Philippines bottling operation is among the top ten biggest globally. (FREEMAN)