University of Colorado returned Coca-Cola $ 1 million

The University of Colorado School of Medicinethe has announced that it will return the $ 1 million donation received from the Coca-Cola Company. The university has been accused of using the money for advocacy to disprove the link between soft drinks and obesity.

The Coca-Cola Company donated money in 2014 to create the Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN), a non-profit group of scientiststhat would encourage people to focus on exercise and worry less about what they eat and drink.For the first time, Coca-Cola and GEBN were at the center of controversy after the New York Times reported their financial relationship in August.

In response to the article, Coca-Cola CEO Mukhtar Kent emphasized that the company has spent nearly $ 120 million since 2010 on health research and partnerships for health programs.to combat obesity in the United States.This includes a $ 3 million donation to the American Academy of Pediatrics to launch its website, healthychildren.org. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics also received $ 1.7 million from Coca-Cola.After being exposed, both organizations said they had ended all relations with Coca-Cola.

Earlier on Friday, the University of Colorado announced that it was returning the $ 1 million it received from the Coca-Cola Company for the creation of GEBN, due to the fact that "the funding source distracted attention fromthe set goal ". "Obesity and the health problems that result from it are a serious problem. The University of Colorado School of Medicine, doctors and researchers make significant contributions to understanding and addressing health issues, and funding sources should not distract scientists from their efforts," addedin the University.

In response, Coca-Cola officials said they would donate the returned money to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "While there is intense scientific discussion on the web about the impact of physicalactivity on the obesity epidemic, it became apparent that the original vision for GEBN was not realized," the company said.

James O. Hill, professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, one of the founders of GEBNand its president, declined to comment. Stephen Blair of the University of South Carolina, a study of the effects of exercise, who served as vice president of the company, said "there has been little or no convincing explanation of what is actually causing it."

The group also launched a social campaign on Facebook and Twitter, highlighting how exercise can help cure many chronic diseases, including obesity.

Marion Nestlé, professor of nutrition, nutritional research and public health at New York University, called GEBN the "front line" of Coca-Cola in promoting its message, namely that obesity is mainly caused by lack ofexercise, rather than excessive consumption of junk food. On Friday, Dr. Nestlé, author of The Soda Policy, said he was delighted that the university returned the money: “Both deserve congratulations. It was a difficult but necessary decision. Let's hope that other groups will also make the right decision and put an end to this.financing ".

In August, the Center for the Study of Public Interest circulated a letter signed by 37 scientists and health authorities, accusing GEBN of "propagating scientific bullshit."In an interview Friday, Michael F. Jacobson, the center's executive director, praised the University of Colorado for the refund. "Even though the university probably returned the money out of embarrassment, they are great for doing it," said Dr. Jacobson, "I hope this serves as an example for everyone."