What is the difference between Coca-Cola Amatil and The Coca-Cola Company?
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) is an Australian public company, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, that manufactures, packages, distributes, markets and promotes the trade market products of The Coca-Cola Company in the Asia-Pacific region. CCA also manufactures and markets its own beverage products. CCA is the parent company of Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia.

The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) owns the trade marks and supplies proprietary soft drink concentrates and beverage bases to Coca-Cola Amatil. TCCC also produces the advertising and programs to support those products. TCCC is the largest shareholder in CCA and has a number of its senior executives serving on CCA's board of directors.

Who invented Coca-Cola? Where and when was it invented?
Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. The name "Coca-Cola" was suggested by Dr. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson. He penned the name Coca-Cola in the flowing script that is famous today. Coca-Cola was first sold at a soda fountain in Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta by Willis Venable.

During the first year, sales of Coca-Cola averaged nine drinks a day, adding up to total sales for that year of $50. Since the year's expenses were just over $70, Dr. Pemberton took a loss.

Today, products of The Coca-Cola Company are consumed at the rate of more than one billion drinks per day.

What does Coca-Cola contain ?
Coca-Cola is carbonated beverage consisting of refined sugar, flavor syrup, purified water, concentrate and carbon dioxide.

The principal ingredients used in all our soft drinks are listed in the ingredient declaration on the bottle crown or closure, the can, or the label of the larger-sized bottles. We conform to all labeling regulations just as we comply with all other laws of the countries in which our products are sold. Because flavor formulations are very valuable proprietary information, we do not discuss the blend of flavoring materials used by The Coca-Cola Company.

Can soft drinks be part of a healthy diet?
Soft drinks contribute to the diet in two ways. Because they are predominantly water, they can help quench thirst and meet the body's fluid requirement -- about two quarts of liquid a day. In addition, soft drinks sweetened with sugar provide carbohydrates, which are readily available to the body for quick energy. Although soft drinks make these nutritional contributions to the diet, the Company markets them as a source of simple refreshment.

As long as individuals balance their food choices, any food (including soft drinks) can be part of a healthy, enjoyable diet. Some people like to think of foods as either "good" or "bad," but there's no such thing as a "bad food" -- only "bad diets." According to most nutrition experts, the best way to ensure that you eat a good diet is to eat a variety of foods in moderation.

Should I be concerned about the amount of sugar or calories in soft drinks?
It may surprise you to know that the amount of sugar and calories in soft drinks is about the same as many fruit juices. An 8-ounce serving of Coca-Cola classic, for example, contains no more sugar and calories than 8 ounces of orange juice, and less sugar and fewer calories than 8 ounces of apple juice or grape juice. And, the body can't tell the difference between the natural sugar you get from fruit juice and that added to soft drinks.

Sugar does not cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes or obesity. People gain weight when they consume more calories than they expend. Sugar does provide calories (4 per gram), but other digestible carbohydrates (like starch) and protein provide the same amount. And, you should know that other caloric sources, namely fat and alcohol, provide many more calories per gram than sugar does: alcohol provides 7 calories per gram, and fat provides more than twice as many as sugar (9 calories per gram). Sugar is the source of calories in regular (non-diet) soft drinks.

Does sugar make children hyperactive?
Definitely not. Sugar does provide energy to the body; however, making energy available by eating something sweet is not the same as causing someone to be active and excited. The concern that eating sugar makes children hyperactive originated in the mid-seventies and was based on anecdotal observations by parents and teachers. A parent would see his child eat cake and drink fruit punch at a party, for example, and then notice an increase in activity. The natural tendency was to link the hyperactive behavior to what the child consumed and to disregard other factors that may have played a role. However, well-designed studies that control for these other factors show no association between sugar consumption and hyperactive behavior. In fact, after reviewing research in this area, the FDA, the U.S. Surgeon General, The American Dietetic Association and the National Academy of Sciences have failed to find substantive evidence to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between sugar consumption and hyperactivity.

Are soft drinks bad for my teeth?
All common sugars, even those in fruits and starches, contribute to the development of tooth decay. It's worth noting that as soft drink consumption has increased over the past decade, tooth decay has decreased dramatically.Three factors help explain this.

First, the widespread use of fluoride in drinking water, toothpastes and mouthwashes has greatly improved dental health, making teeth more resistant to acid attack from plaque bacteria. Second, the sugar in soft drinks has minimal effect on teeth because it's in a liquid form. The sugar passes quickly through the mouth rather than sticking to the teeth. It's gone before it really can have an effect. Third, teeth in the mouth are constantly bathed by saliva. This helps neutralize both the acid in soft drinks and that which is produced when plaque bacteria digest sugar and other carbohydrates.

Comments like "a tooth placed in a glass of Coke will disappear" are misleading. A tooth will not disappear if left in a glass of Coke. Actually, the "tooth in Coke demonstration" in no way creates a real-life situation. The teeth in your mouth are alive, not dead. They're exposed to Coke for only a short amount of time rather than sitting for days in a glass of Coke. Any acidic beverage, including orange juice, would produce the same results. Your teeth are constantly bathed by saliva, which helps buffer the effects of acids from beverages and foods, greatly reducing any effect on tooth enamel. Finally, saliva contains minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus and fluoride, which replace any mineral loss from the tooth enamel.

Does soft drinks have a lot of caffeine?
While many soft drinks are caffeine-free, some contain a small amount of caffeine as part of the flavor profile. An 8-ounce serving of Coca-Cola classic has no more than 23 milligrams of caffeine, which is about one-third the amount found in the same amount of brewed coffee, and less than the caffeine content of tea.

The caffeine that is added to Coca-Cola classic, diet Coke and the other products in which it is used is for flavor purposes only. We use only the amount necessary to achieve the appropriate optimum flavor profile for the particular product sold. In fact, in the United States and in many other countries, the level of caffeine in most soft drinks is well below the amount legally permitted by regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. FDA.

Is caffeine safe?
According to the FDA, there is no evidence to show that caffeine in carbonated beverages would render these beverages injurious to health. Numerous studies have examined the relationship between caffeine and various diseases.

The bulk of scientific research does not support a link between caffeine consumption and heart disease, hypertension or irregular heart rate. Results of studies looking at a possible connection between caffeine and cancer confirm the position of the American Cancer Society, which states that "there is no indication that caffeine. is a risk factor in human cancer." Also, both the National Cancer Institute and the American Medical Association have reported no connection between caffeine intake and the occurrence of fibrocystic breast disease. And, studies involving thousands of pregnant women also fail to show an increased risk of birth defects, even among the heaviest caffeine consumers.

Is caffeine addictive?
It has become popular to use the word "addiction" loosely. People will sometimes say they are "addicted" to chocolate, football or watching television. But, according to the World Health Organization, "There is no evidence whatsoever that caffeine use has even remotely comparable physical and social consequences which are associated with serious drugs of abuse."

Some people who have consumed large quantities of products with caffeine on a regular basis and then suddenly reduce their intake substantially have reported experiencing temporary symptoms such as headaches or fatigue lasting over a two- or three-day period. Because the caffeine levels used in soft drinks are low, it is unlikely that such side effects would occur from a cessation of soft drink consumption.

Does carbon dioxide have harmful side effects?
Carbon dioxide, when added to water for carbonation, is not harmful upon ingestion. Like other food ingredients, carbon dioxide has been reviewed by regulatory authorities worldwide and its safety has been confirmed. Carbonation has no documented effects on the gastrointestinal tract or on general health.

Does the acidity in Coke damage teeth or bones?
There is a small amount of edible acid present in many foods, including fruit juices, buttermilk, and soft drinks. These foods are not acidic enough to harm your body tissues -- in fact, your own natural stomach acid is much stronger. The consumption of soft drinks, including colas, does not cause weak bones. In fact, the amount of phosphorus found in soft drinks is similar to the level found in orange juice. Insufficient calcium intake, hormonal imbalances, lack of physical activity, and normal aging processes are the primary causes of weak bones. The rumor that "a tooth placed in a glass of a soft drink will vanish" is misleading. This in no way creates a real life situation. The teeth in your mouth are alive, not dead. They're exposed to Coke for only a short amount of time rather than sitting for days in a glass of Coke. Although many soft drinks are acidic in nature, under normal consumption conditions, they are no more acidic than many fruit juices, including orange juice. Because your teeth are constantly bathed by saliva, which helps buffer the effects of acids from beverages and foods, the effect on tooth enamel is greatly reduced. Finally, saliva contains minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus and fluoride, which replace any mineral loss from the tooth enamel. This natural protection is lost when an extracted tooth is placed in a glass of liquid. Unlike teeth, bones are never exposed directly to the foods and beverages we eat.

Is there any relationship between soft drinks and kidney stones?
Soft drinks do not cause kidney stones. In fact, the opposite is true. An inadequate intake of fluids is a major contributing factor to the formation of kidney stones. Soft drinks provide a pleasant and refreshing way to consume part of a person's daily fluid requirement, thereby encouraging adequate fluid intake.

Who certifies that your products are kosher?
In Indonesia, all of our products passes routine audit held by Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) which then certifies that our products are kosher.

All our soft drinks are wholesome beverages manufactured in compliance with the laws of nearly 200 countries throughout the world where our products are marketed. Unfortunately, the incredible power of the Internet is sometimes used to spread false information about the ingredients in our products. There are several baseless rumors circulating on the Internet claiming that ingredients in our products can cause health problems. We've gathered some of those rumors here so that you can easily get the facts about these false claims.

There is a message making the rounds on the Internet that says that carbonated soft drinks can be used for a variety of household purposes, such as removing rusty bolts and cleaning greasy clothes. Is this true, and does it mean soft drinks are unhealthy?

The message you cite also mentions that baking a ham basted with Coca-Cola produces a delicious gravy -- and that is definitely true! The other claims in the message may also be true to a lesser extent because there is a small amount of edible acid present in many foods, including fruit juices, buttermilk, and soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola. These foods are not acidic enough to harm your body tissues -- in fact, your own natural stomach acid is stronger. It is possible that the edible acid in any of these products could have the effects described in the E-mail you mention, even though it's still quite safe to drink these products. However, we don't make any claims relating to other uses. Instead, we recommend using products which were designed for cleaning or rust removal.

Rumor: The acidity of cola drinks is strong enough to dissolve teeth and bones
Our Response: Almost all foods naturally contain a small amount of acid, including fruit juices, buttermilk, and soft drinks. In fact, cranberries, lemons and limes are examples of fruits that are more acidic than Coca-Cola. Acids, such as phosphoric and citric acid, add a pleasant tartness to a beverage. Phosphoric acid provides phosphorus which is an essential element of bones and tissues. None of these foods are acidic enough to harm our body tissues -- our own natural stomach acid is stronger.

Soaking something in a soft drink or rubbing something with a cloth soaked in a soft drink is not at all like drinking a soft drink. People don't hold soft drinks in their mouths for long periods of time, or rub their teeth with fabric soaked in soft drinks, so it doesn't make sense to extend these possible affects to normal use of the product. Because our teeth are constantly bathed by saliva, which helps buffer the effects of acids from foods and beverages, the effect on tooth enamel is greatly reduced. In fact, the acids in most foods are neutralized to a large degree by the saliva in the mouth long before they reach the stomach.

Rumor: Some products of The Coca-Cola Company contain alcohol
Our Response: All of our soft drinks are nonalcoholic beverages. The ingredients and manufacturing processes used in the production of our soft drinks are rigorously regulated by government and health authorities. In every country where our products are sold, our soft drinks are recognized by the local government and health authorities as nonalcoholic.

Rumor: Rat urine on soda can kill consumer
Our Response: Many versions of this rumor claim that a relative, friend or coworker died after drinking a can of soda. The rumor claims that the top of the can was encrusted with dried rat's urine. It also states that canned drinks and other foodstuffs are stored in warehouses and containers that are usually infested with rodents and then are transported to retail outlets without being properly cleaned. This particular rumor has been around for years, but has recently made a comeback in Europe. This rumor about a dirty soft drink can cause someone's death is simply not true. The Coca-Cola Company and all our bottling facilities adhere to a very rigorous quality assurance program to ensure the highest level of sanitation and to create superior quality products. We have very active and strict food inspection systems that regulate all of our plants and warehouse facilities, and rodent detection is one of the most basic things for which they inspect. In addition, governmental authorities enforce strict legal and regulatory systems that prohibit the storage of food and beverage products in warehouses that do not meet appropriate sanitation standards. Cans leave the factory in foil sealed boxes and are only opened when the cans are put on the shelf. This means that even while in sales warehouses they are protected by foil. The only time this packaging is exposed would be on the shelves of food stores. Naturally if the store environment seems dirty, it is advisable to clean anything you might put in your mouth.