Press releases

15 October 2019

Soft drinks industry welcomes Environment Bill announcement

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers today (15 October) discussed plans for the upcoming Environment Bill with a keynote speech at London Wetlands Centre. The bill paves the way for the introduction of a deposit return scheme (DRS) i...

10 October 2019

Dame Sally Davies report fails to offer conclusive evidence

The following statement was sent to media on behalf of the British Soft Drinks Association in response to Dame Sally Davies’ report: “Measures designed to increase physical activity and promote parental responsibility have long...

20 September 2019

Soft drinks industry has long track record of sugar reduction work

British Soft Drinks Association statement in response to Public Health England second year progress report on its sugar reduction and reformulation programme, which was released today (20 September). BSDA Director-General, Gavin Partin...

12 September 2019

Well-designed DRS will support reuse of materials as new packaging

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee has called for Government to focus on reducing all single-use packaging in its latest report. The committee also stated its support for Government proposals to improve the recycling r...

03 September 2019

New study does not provide evidence of cause

A new study reports a possible association between higher consumption of soft drinks and an increased risk of mortality. Gavin Partington, British Soft Drinks Association Director General, said: "This study does not provide evidence of caus...

23 July 2019

BSDA welcomes sensible Government approach to energy drinks

The UK Government has announced a ban of the sale of energy drinks to children aged 16 and under. British Soft Drinks Association Director-General Gavin Partington said: “The BSDA has consistently supported the ban on the sale of...

22 July 2019

BSDA challenges 'committed critic' of aspartame

The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) has challenged the veracity of new research which claims that the European Food Safety Authority giving a clean bill of health to aspartame was seriously flawed.  Professor Erik Millstone and...

16 July 2019

Gove is right to support 'all-in' DRS – but GB-wide scheme is a must

UK Government Environment Secretary Michael Gove today (16 July) declared his support for a deposit return scheme (DRS) covering all sizes of drinks cans and bottles. In response, British Soft Drinks Association Director-General Gavin...

10 July 2019

Soft drinks study published by BMJ gives no evidence of cause

A study published by The British Medical Journal reports a possible association between higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and an increased risk of cancer. In response, British Soft Drinks Association director-general Gavi...

14 June 2019

BSDA reacts to schools' fruit juice ban

British Soft Drinks Association director general Gavin Partington responds to fruit juice and smoothies being banned in primary and secondary schools in Scotland: “Scottish children (those aged between 11 and 18) are consuming on aver...