KOREA: Drinks industry accepts pop is too cool for school - report

The beverage industry in Korea has responded to Government plans to ban carbonated soft drinks in schools by the end of the year by voicing its eagerness to participate, according to local reports.

Citing industry sources, the Korean Herald reported today (7 September) that they are ready for the Government's imminent ban on fizzy drinks in schools, due to carbonated drinks sales making up just a small portion of the drinks companies' businesses.

Korean beverage company Haitai Beverage told the paper that CSD sales to schools were only 2% of its total revenue and soft drinks accounted for just 5% of the total beverage sales at schools across the nation.

Coca-Cola Korea's data showed that sales of carbonated soft drinks at schools account for 2% of its total revenue and Lotte Chilsung Beverage, the country's largest beverage maker, said that its low-sugar juice and lemonade have already made up for any possible ban at schools.

A spokesperson from Lotte Chilsung was cited in the report as saying that the company has been preparing new products since the Government hinted at the ban last year.

Earlier this week, the Education Ministry announced plans to invest KRW1.68bn (US$1.79m) to fight child obesity across Korea, enforcing a ban on instant noodles and CSDs in schools by the end of this year.