The CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians says a six-figure deal with Coca-Cola Co. will not have any effect on the group’s editorial content about soft drinks and obesity.
Does that come with fries, too?
Apparently a number of doctors associated with the group aren’t buying the company line. More than 20 of them have pulled their memberships, and we expect there will be more walking away.
The money from Coke is to fund educational materials about soft drinks for the academy’s consumer health and wellness Web site, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
Academy CEO Dr. Douglas Henley said Wednesday that the money won’t influence the group’s public health messages, and that the company will have no control over editorial content. He said the new online information will include research linking soft drinks with obesity and will focus on sugar-free alternatives.
Nutritionists say soda side effects include increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, gout and cavities. The Coke deal, they say, will put a cap on their efforts to get their message out in a credible way.
Coca-Cola spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante said that kind of criticism “misses the point of the partnership, which is to provide education based on sound science.”
Where there’s fizz there’s gas, and that’s what a deal like this is passing on to the public.
We have nothing against Coke. It’s an American classic. But we also know that too much of the real thing can’t be real good.
Fortunately, there are doctors who aren’t willing to pretend that you can belch out the message and expect anyone to buy it.
Except, that is, for the company that is footing the bill.
Opinion
In Our View: Coke deal deserves to go flat
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