Big Soda vs. Public HealthThe American Beverage Assn., Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper Snapple Group spent a combined $106M from '09 through `14 to counter health/labeling initiatives at the local, state and federal levels, according to report released today by Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The companies shelled out $5.1M during the first-quarter of this year.

"Like the tobacco industry before it, the soda industry is spending heavily and spending strategically and has mostly been successful at blocking federal, state, and local public health measures aimed at reducing soda-related disease,” said a statement from Jim O'Hara, CSPI director of health promotion policy.

The "Big Soda vs. Public Health" report says the Center undoubtedly underestimated the outlays since lobbying expenses figures are not available in 10 of the 23 jurisdictions that considered sugary drinks regulations.

The ABA spent the $64.6M or 61 percent of the overall outlays to defeat warning labels, portion size measures or taxes on sodas.

The Center found Goddard Gunster PA, Mellman Group, Beneson Strategy Group, Dewey Square and GCW Media Services among the firms working for the beverage companies.

O'Hara said it’s unclear whether the industry will be able to preserve its winning streak "when it has to fend off a greater number of soda tax or warning label proposals simultaneously.”