This release was issued by Harrington Investments.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brianna Harrington
April 23, 2019 800-788-0154
[email protected]
Harrington Investments, Inc. (HII), a Napa Valley, California-based socially responsible investment advisory firm has introduced a resolution (attached) at Coca-Cola (KO) that will be voted on by shareholders at the annual meeting scheduled tomorrow, April 24th, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia. The shareholder resolution is requesting an independent study on Sugar and Public Health. The study calls for a critical review of Coke products marketed to consumers, especially those targeted to children, including an assessment of risks to Coke’s finances and reputation associated with changing scientific understanding of the role of sugar in disease causation.
“The consumption of sugary beverages, such as some Coca-Cola products, contribute to a decline in public health, often leading to obesity, which in turn increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and increasingly compromised health conditions,” said John Harrington, President and CEO of HII.
“Many in the healthcare community have called sugar the ‘new poison’ in the 21st century, similar to tobacco in the 20th century, a product that eventually may kill, if not severely disable its customers.”
Another shareholder, Ray Rogers (of killercoke.org), a long-time friend and colleague, will be representing HII and moving the proposal. The Boston, Massachusetts-based organization, Corporate Accountability, has provided research and data supporting the resolution.
HII is a 35-year old socially responsible Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), managing approximately $240 million in assets for institutions and individuals. The firm utilizes environmental, social and governance (ESG) screening criteria, in addition to financial criteria, engages in shareholder advocacy, and implements an impact investing methodology in managing portfolios for clients.
