Wood’s World

Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink in the world. A lot of people are not aware of the dealings of the Coca-Cola corporation and how they managed to achieve this, others argue that they like the taste of coke, therefore they will drink it regardless. I’m not one of those people. I admit that I quite like the taste of coke, but I don’t want to drink it all time and thus become accustomed to the sugar or caffeine content resulting in me craving it, along with far stronger reasoning as listed below. I did once try sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose .

In addition to the health issues there are quite a few ethical issues surrounding Coca-Cola. You have to consider that every time you purchase a product you are effectively giving them your vote. Allowing them to grow larger and spread their product, manufacturing methods, advertising, values and ethics further, so it is important to be aware of what you are supporting. Anyway, onto the 5 reasons not to purchase Coca-Cola.

1: Health

As I touched on previously - Very high sugar content, high calorie content, high caffeine content. All of which can lead to dependencies which can result in your mood fluctuating, your teeth decaying, fat build up and the development of conditions such as diabetes.

2: Unethical Policies

Despite the known health risks associated with drinking coca-cola excessively. In the 90’s the Coca-Cola corporation introduced a policy, where by it would pay schools in the U.S. to sell Coca-Cola from vending machines placed in corridors and various other places around the school. This was a ploy to get children hooked on their addictive product, so that by the time they graduated they would be loyal Coca-Cola drinkers, and more importantly long term paying customers. Particularly vulnerable were under-funded, struggling state schools who could hardly afford to turn these deals down. Thus the children of America were reeled into the arms of the Coca-Cola corporation, adding to the already existing problems of obesity and diabetes.

3: Affiliation With The Nazis

Coca-Cola, a U.S company, were fighting on both sides during the second world war, in an attempt to increase profit and expand the brand. Before the second world war broke out, Max Keith, Coca-Cola’s German representative, was sponsoring Nazi events. Coca-Cola, became the most popular drink in Germany during the late 1930’s / early 1940’s. When the Nazis occupied surrounding countries such as Italy , France , Holland , Luxembourg , Belgium and Norway. Keith traveled with Nazi troops and subsequently organised for Coca-cola factories to be set up using expropriated (confiscated) drinks factories in said countries. There are many allegations that Coca-Cola used forced labor in these factories during this time.

Source

4: ‘Cocacolonisation’

Cocacolonisation is a word created to describe the spread of the Coca-Cola corporation in third world countries. There is a case in India of Coca-Cola tapping so much water from local water supplies which local residents depended upon, that they have run dry. In the same area the Coca-Cola bottling plant sold off waste products as fertilizer to local farmers, this has been found to contain unsafe levels of toxins.

“What is particularly disturbing is that the contamination has spread to the water supply - with levels of lead in a nearby wells at levels well above those set by the World Health Organisation.” - David Santillo, University of Exeter senior scientist.

5: Suspect Behavior

“SINALTRAINAL (the Colombian food and drinks workers union) has accused Coca Cola of working in cahoots with paramilitary death squads to remove union activists and hence the union organisation from its plants in Columbia.” This following a number of assassinations of union members and leaders who were working for or had worked for Coca-Cola.

Major Brands Owned by The Coca-Cola Corporation:

• Coca-Cola and all variations – Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Cherry Coke etc.
• Capri Sun
• Fanta
• Five Alive - Fruit Juice
• Kia Ora - Cordial
• Oasis
• Powerade – Energy drink
• Relentless – Energy Drink
• Schweppes (under licence)
• Sprite

Interesting Information:

Taken from an article by Mohammed Mesbahi:

“Coca Cola’s appalling human rights record, combined with its high boycott vulnerability ratio make it the ideal target for a boycott. This is why Max Keiser has decided to launch a hedge fund, which will be used to buy Coca Cola shares. They will then sell the shares for less than they bought them for, which will bring down their value on the international stock market. They are relying on the continuing boycott of Coca Cola products to bring the share price down still further. They will then buy the shares at a lower price than they sold them for and sell them again for even less. All profits from this venture will be donated to the victims of Coca Cola in countries such as India and Colombia. Max Keiser says that for every 1,000 new boycotters, they will increase the size of the hedge fund by £5000. “