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BEVERAGES FROM PAGE 41 Holding back on the sugar It isn’t uncommon these days for NPD to contain low sugar, or no sugar at all, or at least to offer an alternative to a sugar-sweetened option. This, says Mr Parker, is supporting healthier lifestyles while helping the industry meet its commitment to the sugar reduction pledge. “The Australian Beverages Council announced a pledge in June 2018 that will see the non-alcoholic beverage industry commit to a 20 per cent reduction in sugar across the industry’s portfolio by 2025,” he said. “Australia’s leading beverage companies, including Asahi Lifestyle Beverages, Coca- Cola Amatil, Coca-Cola Australia and PepsiCo Australia, committed to the pledge in support of a responsive and responsible drinks industry.” Mr Parker says the Council’s first progress report on the pledge, in November 2019, included that the seven per cent reduction in sugar achieved in the years 2015-2018 was calculated using aggregated weighted average grams of sugar per 100ml of non-alcoholic for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, by applying a weighting to corresponding volume for the product. “The industry will continue to provide progress reports each year through to 2026 while encouraging more companies, and other industry sectors, to take similarly bold action to reduce sugar, salt or saturated fat,” he said. “The Australian Beverages Council announced a pledge in June 2018 that will see the non-alcoholic beverage industry commit to a 20 per cent reduction in sugar across the industry’s portfolio by 2025.” 42 CONVENIENCE WORLD MAY/JUN, 2020