Coke to disclose details on its health efforts

NEW YORK (AP) — Coca-Cola says it will start publishing information about its health and nutrition efforts after it was criticized for funding a group that many felt touted the company's message.

The Atlanta-based company came under fire after a New York Times story on Aug. 9 that detailed how Coca-Cola Co. gave $1.5 million to help start the Global Energy Balance Network.

In a video announcing the group, Steven Blair, a professor at the University of South Carolina and vice president of the network, noted the media focuses on eating too much, eating too much, eating too much — blaming fast food, blaming sugary drinks, and so on.

Earlier this year, The Associated Press reported that Coca-Cola worked with multiple health experts who wrote online posts for American Hearth Month in February, with each including a mini-Coke or other soda as a snack idea.

In addition to outlining such relationships, Coca-Cola said it will form an oversight committee of independents experts to advise it on investments on academic research.