WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) commends The Coca-Cola Company for its commitment to fight obesity through its new and unprecedented campaign. Beginning with two national television commercials, the goal of the campaign is to educate people about the importance of making informed choices and balancing their caloric intake.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States - triple the rate from just one generation ago." As a leader in the fight against obesity, Coca-Cola's campaign will also implement innovative programs to educate its consumers. It is committed delivering a greater choice of beverages, including low- and no-calorie options, and to clearly communicating the calorie content of all its products.
The Calories Count Vending Program will ensure that vending machine labels feature calorie information for each beverage selection, so that customers can make informed and healthy decisions. The company is also expanding its Troops for Fitness program which supports the hiring of U.S. veterans to teach military-style fitness classes in key cities across the country throughout 2013.
"We are proud to partner with a company that holds itself responsible for the health and well-being of its consumers. We applaud Coca-Cola for its leadership on this timely and critical issue," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez.
About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the United States that contribute in excess of $465 billion to the American economy each year. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.