Chief Coca-Cola scientist leaves amid criticism over obesity research

(credit: Simon Shek/Flickr)

Rhona Applebaum, Coca-Cola’s chief scientist and health officer, is stepping down from the company.

The news follows reports that Applebaum helped set up a nonprofit research group tasked with downplaying the role of sugary drinks in the obesity epidemic and highlighting the benefits of exercise.

In August, The New York Times reported that the company had financial ties to the research group—the Global Energy Balance Network, which is made up of university researchers. The company provided the group with $1.5 million in research funding, $1 million of which went to the University of Colorado where group president, James O. Hill, is a professor. Further investigations found that the beverage company helped pick the group’s leaders, draft its mission statement, and design its website. The research group argues that Americans are too fixated on calories and diet and should be more concerned about exercise.

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