Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company said, in an editorial published in The Wall Street Journal, that the company will be more transparent with its science and research investment.
The company is refocusing its efforts on well-being.
Kent said in the editorial that the company has sought to adopt a more science-based knowledge to come up with the best way to deal with the obesity epidemic.
"Coca-Cola has always believed that a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for a healthy lifestyle," he said.
Kent said in the editorial that he had directed Sandy Douglas, president of Coca-Cola North America to publish in their website the list of the health and well-being partnerships and research activities that the company has funded in the last five years.
The list will be updated every six months.
Kent also said in the editorial that the company will also have a committee of independent experts to advise and provide governance to Coca-Cola's investments in academic research, and to engage with leading experts to exploring future opportunities in their academic research investment.
The work will mostly be done in the U.S. and the best practice that comes out of the research will be implemented internationally.
The company has been under fire, following the New York Times' report last August 9 that Coca-Cola has contributed $1.5 million last year in financial and logistical to help a new non-profit organization Global Energy Balance Network.
Global Energy Balance promotes the argument that people are overly fixated in what they eat and drink and not enough attention on exercise when it comes health.
Kent said in the editorial that he was not happy with how the company's actions were viewed by the public.
"I am disappointed that some actions we have taken to fund scientific research and health and well-being programs have served only to create more confusion and mistrust," he said. "I know our company can do a better job engaging both the public-health and scientific communities, and we will."
The New York Times added that after their Aug. 9 story, Global Energy Balance said in a statement that the story about their work on obesity is oversimplifying the issue.
Addressing obesity is not as simple as suggesting that exercising is more important than diet.
Kent said in the editorial that Coca-Cola will continue to "evolve and respond to the needs of society, from innovation to responsible marketing to our sponsorships and partners."
