FDBusiness.com

Hubert Patricot (pictured), President, European Group, Coca-Cola Enterprises, has been elected president of UNESDA, the Union of European Beverages Associations, representing the soft drinks industry in Europe. He will serve as president until May 2016.  

Commenting at the recent UNESDA board meeting in Warsaw in May 2014, Mr Patricot suggested that he would pursue two key agendas for the industry – to ensure the sector continues to play a strong role in encouraging balanced diets and lifestyles across Europe, and to help people understand the important role the sector plays in the European economy.

“Since 2006 our sector has led far-reaching self-regulatory commitments to act responsibly in the marketplace. We ensure that our products are not offered for sale in primary schools or advertised to children under 12 years of age. We also provide a full range of no and low-sugar drinks alongside regular versions, and these now comprise 30% of our sales in many countries,” explained Hubert Patricot. “We must ensure that everybody knows about these initiatives. UNESDA will continue to get out and communicate the key facts on our sector and maintain an ongoing dialogue with regulators, peers, media and stakeholders in order to engage in an honest debate about health and wellness and the role of our sector in encouraging balanced diets and lifestyles.”

“We will also highlight the significant contribution that our sector makes to the European economy. Our industry provides jobs and income  throughout the supply chain from agriculture through to transport and the retail and hospitality sector. It is important that policy makers and regulators understand the €55.4 billion value-added impact that our sector delivers across the EU28 and is supportive of our commitment to continue to grow our industry and provide ongoing investment and employment across the continent,” he concluded.