In 1971, Coca-Cola aired its iconic “Hilltop” ad, which popped back into public consciousness when it ended the season finale of the hit series Mad Men.
Now, the health advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has spoofed the ad, with real Americans singing about the potential consequences of drinking soda, like type-2diabetes and obesity. CSPI says soda and sugary drinks are one of the leading sources of calories in Americans diets and can up the risk for those conditions.
“For the past 45 years, Coca-Cola and other makers of sugar drinks have used the most sophisticated and manipulative advertising techniques to convince children and adults alike that a disease-promoting drink will make them feel warm and fuzzy inside,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson in a statement. “We thought it was time to change the tune.”
When asked for comment, Coca-Cola referred TIME’s request to the American Beverage Association (ABA), a trade group that represents the beverage industry including soda companies. “Our industry is committed to being part of real solutions to public health challenges like obesity,” wrote Tracey Halliday, a spokesperson for the ABA. “Just last fall, America’s leading beverage companies launched the Balance Calories Initiative with an aggressive goal to reduce beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 percent by 2025. We’ve put clear calorie information on all of our cans, bottles and packs, and are doing so on company-controlled equipment including vending machines and fountains, so consumers know exactly how many calories are in a beverage before they make a purchase.”
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