Global School Beverage Policy
January 1, 2022
Honoring the rights of parents and caregivers to make choices for their children is the cornerstone of our Responsible Marketing practices. We believe in commercial-free schools for children and we do not allow any marketing or advertising in schools.
This Policy establishes principles to guide our practices across the more than 200 countries where our products are consumed. They apply to all beverages directly distributed by our local bottling partners to primary and secondary schools that bear trademarks owned and/or licensed by The Coca‑Cola Company. As a global enterprise that operates as a local business, we abide by all local regulations and industry commitments.
When we offer our beverages for sale in primary schools, we will allow the sale of only:
- Water (still/sparkling, plain/flavored).
- 100% fruit/vegetable juices and smoothies (including diluted juices).
- Dairy (low/no fat, plain/flavored). Local regulations will define “low-fat.” In all cases, fat must be ≤2%.
- Plant-based drinks (low/no fat, plain/flavored).
Nutrition criteria include: 1) juice, dairy and plant-based beverages can be up to an 8 ounce or 250ml portion size; 2) no added trans-fat content in all categories; 3) no added sugars in water and 100% juice categories; 4) added sugars in dairy and plant- based beverages is limited to 15% DV per serving; 5) plant-based must match dairy for calcium and protein.
All vending machines will be unbranded (except for selection button). If requested, we will make our full range of products available in teachers’ lounges or areas for teachers which are restricted from students.
When we offer our beverages for sale in secondary schools, we will work with school authorities to ensure that a full range of beverages (including water, juices and other beverages in both regular and low-calorie/calorie-free versions) is made available. Where primary and secondary school students share a common area or building, our approach, in dialogue with school authorities, will be commensurate with the majority of the student population.
When approached by school authorities to support extracurricular or educational activities (e.g., school dances, theatrical productions, band concerts, sports activities), we will consider such requests within the spirit of this Policy. We will make third-party distributors aware of this Policy in cases where neither The Coca‑Cola Company nor its bottling partners control final distribution of our beverages in schools.