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By Reynard Loki / AlterNet

The University of Colorado School of Medicine recently announced it was returning a $1 million gift from Coca-Cola after it was revealed that the money was used to fund the Global Energy Balance Network, an industry pressure group that has worked to play down the link between sugary drinks and obesity. Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University and the author of Soda Politics, called the network a “front group” for Coca-Cola and said she was pleased that the money was returned.

The world’s largest beverage company has been criticized for pushing a misleading message to the public, blaming the obesity crisis on Americans’ lack of exercise and denying that sugary beverages are a main cause of the problem. The company said the returned money would be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Dana Radcliffe, a professor of business ethics at Cornell University, recently wrote a Huffington Post blog post questioning whether Coke’s actions were consistent with its publicly espoused values, including honesty and respect for all its stakeholders.

I had a chance to ask Prof. Radcliffe his thoughts about the recent announcement by the University of Colorado, what it means for Coca-Cola and the ethics behind selling sugar.

Reynard Loki: What is the impact on Coca-Cola of the University of Colorado’s decision to return its gift? Is this just a bump in a rocky road, or does this development carry some significance?

Dana Radcliffe: Prior to this decision by the University of Colorado, two high-profile health organizations — the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — which had together received $4.7 million from Coke, severed their relationships with the company. In light of the fact that, since 2010, Coca-Cola has distributed $120 million to various groups involved in health research and other efforts to combat the obesity epidemic, I would not be surprised to see more recipients declining further support from Coke. If a number of those organizations do follow suit, I think Coca-Cola will be forced to rethink its positions on the causes of the crisis and on what its role should be in trying to end it.

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