Coca-Cola Co. spent $4.8 million in the fourth quarter to lobby the government on proposals to tax sugary beverages, according to a recent disclosure report.
That's well above the $680,000 that the company spent in the year-ago period, and more than double the $2.37 million it spent in the third quarter of 2009.
The Atlanta-based maker of Coca-Cola, Sprite and other beverages, also lobbied on obesity prevention, nutrition, recycling and other issues related to the industry. Some state lawmakers have proposed taxing sugary beverages as a way to raise money and reduce obesity, which is linked to costly health problems such as diabetes.
The company lobbied Congress, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and others from October through December, according to the report filed Jan. 20 with the House clerk's office.
Copyright 2010 AP News
