Coca Cola is one of the most iconic brands of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Promoting itself as the drink of freedom, choice and US patriotism, the company’s feel-good factor is recognised worldwide and reflected in its enormous profits.
But behind this carefully crafted image exists a company accused of environmental damage, human rights violations and questionable business practices.
If you want to find out more a good place to start is political activist and journalist Mark Thomas‘ Dispatches episode on Coca Cola. In this documentary Mark Thomas finds evidence of child labour, meets union workers who have been threatened by death squads in Colombia, visits polluted rivers in El Salvador, and tries to correct the tour guides in the Coke museum about their company’s involvement with Nazi Germany.
The evidence presented in this documentary and other publications (Mark Thomas, Belching Out the Devil: Global Adventures with Coca-Cola, 2008) undermines Coca-Cola’s effervescent image as a force for good and explains why their controversial practices have prompted a global consumer backlash. As Thomas says… “If you’re not pissed off then you’re not paying attention. THIS is the real thing.”
You will see this famous beverage on sale throughout Latin America but you should boycott Coca Cola and its associated products (Sprite, Fanta, Lilt, Dr Pepper, Oasis, etc) in favour of local brands such as ‘Big Cola’ in Mexico. Please note that one of South Americas most iconic brands, Inca Kola, is now 50% owned by the Coca-Cola Company. If you can’t beat them, join them!