Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a leading beverage and one of the world's largest companies. The drink was invented in 1886, and the company Coca-Cola was incorporated in September 1919, to become a worldwide manufacturer, distributor and marketer of nonalcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. It sells products in 200 countrieshttp://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=KO.N&rpc=66 with non-alcoholic brands including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Dasani, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, Fresca, Hi-C, Sprite, Fuze, Odwalla, Powerade, Tab, Vitamin Water, and more.http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/brands The Company owns or licenses approximately 500 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, enhanced waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, and energy and sports drinks.http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=KO.N

The company was sued by a nutrition advocacy group in January 2009 regarding its product VitaminWater. The group claimed that the company makes "deceptive" claims when it says the product has vitamins that offer health benefits to consumers.San Francisco Chronicle: Advocacy group sues Coca-Cola over VitaminWater (January 15, 2009)

On February 25, 2010, it was announced that the international company named Coca-Cola would purchase control of the American corporation Coca-Cola Enterprises for nearly $4 billion.http://www.marketwatch.com/story/coca-cola-buying-north-american-unit-of-cce-2010-02-25?dist=beforebell

On April 5, 2010 a student group at NYU called for a ban on campus of Coca Cola products due to suspected human rights violations in Colombia, South America.http://dnainfo.com/20100405/greenwich-village/nyu-student-group-calls-for-campus-ban-on-cocacola-products

Though thought of as an intensely American product, Coke licenses its beverages to local bottlers, who make products for 200 countries worldwide. Mexico drinks the most Coke per capita of any country.http://www.lipmagazine.org/articles/featlydersen_167.shtml The Coke logo in its flowing script has become one of the world's most recognizable symbols.http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/design_icon_coca-cola

Dr. John Stith Pemberton invented the original syrup for Coca-Cola in 1886. It was sold as a soda fountain drink. The product was eventually taken over by Asa Candler, a businessman who marketed the beverage heavily via advertising and free samples. In an effort to set it apart from its many imitators, the company developed the distinctive curved glass bottle in 1916. Coke in a metal can was introduced in 1960. Plastic bottles were first sold in 1977.http://www.solarnavigator.net/sponsorship/coca_cola.htm

A 12 ounce can of Coca-cola contains 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, 39 grams of sugar and 34mg of caffeine.http://productnutrition.thecoca-colacompany.com/products/coca-cola#nutritionhttp://productnutrition.thecoca-colacompany.com/products/coca-cola#ingredients Coca-cola is not a significant source of fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and iron.http://productnutrition.thecoca-colacompany.com/products/coca-cola#nutrition

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