Coca-Cola Co. isn't renewing its financial sponsorship of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, part of a broader funding review at Coke after critics accused the beverage giant of trying to downplay the role of sugary drinks in obesity.

The move also comes after the health group—which represents tens of thousands of U.S. nutritionists—came under fire in recent years for accepting millions of dollars from large food and drink companies.

Coke disclosed last week it spent $118.6 million funding scientific research and health and fitness programs in the U.S. since 2010. Recipients spanned dozens of well-known institutions including the American Academy of Family Physicians, Louisiana State University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The disclosures followed a New York Times article last month detailing a Coke-funded nonprofit that suggested Americans were overly fixated on calories and not paying enough attention to exercise. The website of the organization, Global Energy Balance Network, initially didn't disclose it was funded by Coke.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has previously disclosed financial ties to major sponsors including Coke, PepsiCo Inc. and Unilever PLC. The health group shared the news internally Sunday that Coke wouldn't renew its sponsorship. Coke gave the academy $2.6 million over the past eight years for conferences and programs.

Coke spokeswoman Joanna Price said the company made the decision early in the summer not to renew the sponsorship for budget reasons and that it is broadly reviewing its partnerships aimed at addressing obesity. Sandy Douglas, president of Coca-Cola North America, will start meeting with health groups in the coming days as part of what the company has called "a listening tour."

Ms. Price didn't rule out Coke contributing again to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics after its current sponsorship expires this year. In a departure from past years, Coke won't have an exhibit at the academy's annual Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo starting Saturday.

Ryan O'Malley, a spokesman at the academy, confirmed Coke's sponsorship agreement expires in December and that there are no renewal plans. He declined to say why Coke was stopping funding, adding sponsorship agreements "come and go for a variety of reasons."

Several dietitians formed a group called Dietitians for Professional Integrity in 2013 to pressure the academy to stop accepting money from big sponsors like Coke, PepsiCo and Unilever, arguing the companies sell unhealthy foods and drinks.

"There's a long history of [academy] members being unhappy and concerned about these types of ties," said Andy Bellatti, strategic director at Dietitians for Professional Integrity.

PepsiCo said it has a "significant and growing nutrition business" and that its participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps the company learn more about health and wellness issues. Unilever didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this year Kraft Foods Group Inc. and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics dropped plans to apply the academy's "Kids Eat Right" logo on Kraft's Singles cheese products after an outcry from some academy members.

Mr. O'Malley, the academy spokesman, said the academy is transparent about sponsorships and that companies can play an important role in promoting health. The academy is "vigilant" every message to consumers is "backed by sound science and not influenced by any outside brands or companies," he said.

The spokesman added he's not aware of plans by any other large companies to not renew their sponsorships with the academy.

Write to Mike Esterl at mike.esterl@wsj.com

 

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 28, 2015 17:55 ET (21:55 GMT)

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