Coca-Cola Reduces Size, Calories Of Beverages in Canada To Recapture Market

Finally heeding consumers’ requests in Canada, Coca-Cola Ltd. has given in to reduce the level of sweetness of its famous beverage by eight per cent in every can and bottle sold in the North American nation. The reduction spree also extends to the size of its bottles and cans.

The new product will be available in the coming weeks and months. A 591-millilitre bottle of Coke will now only have 240 calories, compared from the previous 260. Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, an Ottawa diet and obesity expert, gave a more visually appealing explanation to CBC News of the reduction. He said a 355-ml can of Coke now will only contain 9.7 teaspoons of sugar, from a 10.5 teaspoons.

The adjustment in the concentration isn’t the first time Coca-Cola is doing it. In fact, in other countries, it had been offering its products with a much lower level of sweetness. “Consumers are looking for less calories and [more] transparency and consistency around the globe,” the Globe and Mail quoted Michael Samoszewski, vice-president of Coca-Cola’s sparkling business unit in Canada. “That’s the primary reason why we’re doing this.” With the adjustment, Coca-Cola products sold in Canada are now “consistent with the ratio used around the world," Shannon Denny, director of brand and business communications for Coca-Cola Refreshments Canada, told The Canadian Press.

Moreover, Coca-Cola will be replacing the 591ml sized bottles with the 500ml sized ones. It also said it will produce more of its mini-cans (222mL) and glass bottles (237mL). A new sleeker 310-ml can is also in the works, which could be launched in stores as early as March.

"These new initiatives are the latest in Coca-Cola Canada's efforts to reduce the overall beverage calories in the Canadian diet and to provide consumers with information and resources to lead active, balanced lifestyles," the company said in a statement.

John Sicher, editor of trade publication Beverage Digest, commended the “modest change” Coca-Cola has done for its Canadian market. Marvin Ryder, a marketing expert at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business, believed the beverage company will be doing more reductions and possibly steering up concoctions that give “more variety at less sweetness."

Data released by IBIS World, a market researcher, in October 2014 revealed the number of pop colas being sold in Canada has been dropping by roughly four per cent annually. “Carbonated soft drinks are the fastest declining item in the Canadian restaurant market,” GlobalNews quoted Robert Carter, an industry analyst at NPD.