This article was originally published as a Letter to the Editor in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on Oct. 23, 2022.
Your local beverage aisle looks very different today than it did a few years ago. That’s because Ohio’s beverage makers are working to provide more choices with less sugar. These choices come in many varieties, from flavored, enhanced and sparkling waters to zero-sugar sports drinks, teas and sodas. In fact, today nearly 60% of beverages sold have zero sugar.
At the Ohio Beverage Association, we believe consumers should have access to more beverage options and clear calorie information so they can make the right choices for their families. This conversation took center stage at the recent White House Conference on Hunger, Health and Nutrition, with a discussion focused on work to “Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices.”
The Ohio Beverage Association is committed to doing our part to empower families to find balance in their daily diet, and we’re backing up our commitment with action. We’re leveraging the power of innovation, education and direct-to-consumer outreach to encourage families to reduce the amount of sugar from beverages.
These actions have successfully reduced the amount of calories from beverages Americans consume, but there is more work to do. Together, we can empower consumers and create lasting change.
Kimberly McConville, Columbus
Kimberly McConville is executive director of the Ohio Beverage Association.