2 black pastors Sue Coca-Cola, American Beverage Association

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Two black pastors filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association last week, claiming that soda manufacturers knowingly deceive consumers about the health risks associated with the drinks, costing their communities lives through illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

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“It’s become really clear to me that we’re losing more people to the sweets than to the streets,” Coates told the Post “There’s a great deal of misinformation in our communities, and I think that’s largely a function of these deceptive marketing campaigns.”

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As the report notes, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other ailments affect more people of color than their white counterparts. Those communities also consume more soda and are more exposed to advertising about soda.

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Coca-Cola, however, is dismissing the claims against it, saying that the company “understands that we have a role to play in helping people reduce their sugar consumption,” pointing to the development of low-calorie and no-calorie beverages.

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