Beijing, March 22 -- The world-famous beverage giant, Pepsi Co., pledged on monday to lower the levels of salt, sugar and saturated fats contained in its top-selling products during the coming decade.
Indra Nooyi, Pepsi chairman and chief executive officer, said to medias, "We would reduce the average saturated fat per serving by 15 percent by 2020, and cut the average added sugar per serving in key global beverage brands by 25 percent by 2020."
He also noted that Pepsi Co. will display calorie counts and key nutrients on its packaging by 2012 and will finally eliminate direct sales of full-sugar soft drinks to primary and secondary schools.
Pepsi Co. made the above commitment under the pressure from all sectors of society. Recently, U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, who is leading a major administration initiative on child obesity, has urged food makers to work faster to re-formulate or re-package food to make it healthier for kids.
Similar steps have been taken by other US food companies, including Con-Agra, Kraft and Campbell. Health officials have threatened regulation if action is not forthcoming on reducing levels of salt, sugar and saturated fats in products.
