What Do The CDC And Coca-Cola Have In Common?

Seems Coca-Cola has a cozy relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Or at least it did. Thanks to the investigative work of US Right to Know, (USRTK) Coke’s sweet deal with the CDC is turning sour.

In June, Dr. Barbara Bowman, a high-ranking CDC official, unexpectedly departed the agency, two days after it was revealed that she had been communicating regularly with—and offering guidance to—a leading Coca-Cola advocate seeking to influence world health authorities on sugar and beverage policy matters, according to USRTK.

Now, thanks to emails obtained by US Right to Know, it appears that another veteran CDC official has similarly close ties to the global soft drink giant. Michael Pratt, Senior Advisor for Global Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, has a history of promoting and helping lead research funded by Coca-Cola.

Pratt also works closely with the nonprofit corporate interest group set up by Coca-Cola called the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), according to emails USRTK obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

What? A multi-national junk food company trying to influence a U.S. government agency? We admit, that hardly seems like news anymore. But it’s important information. And consumers have the right to know.

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