Coca-Cola: We spent $118.6M on health efforts in 5 years

NEW YORK (AP) — Coca-Cola disclosed today that it spent $118.6 million on health research and partnerships in the U.S. over the past five years, including funding for a group that was criticized for downplaying the role of sugary drinks in fueling obesity.

The world's biggest beverage maker had vowed last month to be more transparent about the various health programs and messaging it funds. The pledge came after a New York Times story detailed the company's financial support for the Global Energy Balance Network. The story said the group promotes the idea that people are overly fixated on how much they're eating, rather than how much they're exercising.

In a video announcing the network, one of the group's leaders had said the media focuses on "eating too much, eating too much, eating too much — blaming fast food, blaming sugary drinks, and so on."

Some health and nutrition advocates say it has become common for food companies to try and deflect criticism about their products by talking about the need for more physical activity.