a related story:
DOJ Targets Coca-Cola For Monopolistic Practices
by Hersh Wingard, Business Correspondent www.doomed.com
January 12, 1998, 07:29 a.m. PT doomed.com
WASHINGTON, D.C.: When it comes to soft drinks there's Coke and there's everyone else. Many of the giant's beverage competitors think that's unfair. And today the U.S. Department of Justice agreed by filing suit against Coca-Cola for unfair competitive practices. "Nearly every high school and college campus has a Coke machine which gives the company an unfair advantage in molding the tastes of young people," complained one Pepsi official. " And
Coke's new slogan: "One world, one thirst" has competitors alarmed
Coke makes vendors stock the machine with the companies less popular brands such as Fanta, Sprite, Mr. Pibb, and Minute Maid soda. We don't think that's fair. Wherever there's Coke there should also be Pepsi."
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Coca-Cola has been consistently criticized over the years for it's marketing practices. "First, they put cocaine in the stuff, then those curvy glasses, then in the early eighties they scare the public by introducing "New Coke." Just try going to any McDonalds in the world and ordering a Big Mac, Fries, and Pepsi. You can't do it," says Ralph Nader, well-known consumer advocate who left attacking the auto industry for creating cars that kill people to pursue the soft drink issue. "If we left it up to Coca-Cola executives we'd all be drinking Coke."
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Next week in court the Department of Justice is going to ask a federal court to force Coca-Cola to remove the caramel coloring from all new bottles of its product. "We think this should even the playing field. If the consumers really want the brown color they can add it them themselves, " said DOJ attorney Hirsch Lisp. Coca-Cola officials complain that this would make Coca-Cola a weaker product. The government disagrees. "It's not like we're asking them to take the sugar out," replies Lisp. Coca-Cola has the second largest market value of any American Company behind only the General Electric Corporation.
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