Taco Bell: Quit Pushing Sugary Drinks

One word can describe Taco Bell's drink lineup: Sugary.

Taco Bell recently added six new sugary drinks and became the first fast-food giant to offer Manzanita Sol, an apple-flavored soda most popular in Mexico, a nod to its Latin-inspired cuisine.

Manzanita Sol packs a whopping 56 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce drink, and four of the six new drinks contain more than 20 grams of sugar in the chain's smallest available size.

Tell Taco Bell to stop offering Manzanita Sol and other sugary drinks to customers!

Latino kids don't need more sugar-bombs disguised as thirst-quenchers, they already drink more sugary drinks per day than their white peers and have higher rates of obesity.

Taco Bell continues to launch new unhealthy beverages, including new flavors of sugar-filled slushy drinks called Freezes. The company promotes Freezes aggressively on Facebook and Instagram, and research shows Latinos use these channels more than other populations.

The two newest Freezes, Starburst and Snapple Lemonade, each pack more than 45 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving.

Tell Taco Bell to stop adding sugary drinks, and instead add a healthy option like no- or low-fat milk!
Dear Taco Bell:

We think your slogan "Live Mas" is a great reminder to live life to the fullest.

However, in the midst of a national childhood obesity epidemic, the number of sugary drinks on your menu isn't helping your customers live up to that slogan.

You recently added six new drinks to your beverage lineup, including Manzanita Sol, a Mexican favorite. But Manzanita Sol packs 56 grams of sugar in 16 ounces, according to your nutritional information. Four of the six new drinks contain more than 20 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving. The American Heart Association recommends a daily allowable added sugar intake of 12-20 grams among children ages 4-13.

And you continue to launch new sugary drinks regularly. Two of your newest Freezes, Starburst and Snapple Lemonade, each have more than 45 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving.

Studies find that Latino kids already drink more sugary drinks each day than their white peers, and have higher rates of obesity.

And with your award-winning social media campaign, marketing for these drinks can be found all over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, channels that research shows Latinos use more than their White peers—and at a younger age.

We know you're aware of many customers' desire to eat healthier; your Fresco menu, with reduced calorie and reduced fat items, is a testament to that.

With a large menu section dedicated to healthier food, you should add healthier drinks options too.

Young people already consume too many sugary drinks. Please stop pushing ultra-sugary drinks to customers, and instead add healthier, no- or low-sugar options, like water and no- or low-fat milk.

McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King have all taken soda off of their kids' menus. Although Taco Bell doesn't have kids' menus, we believe you can follow their lead and remove sugary drink options that are favorites among children and youth.

We encourage Taco Bell to ensure that all kids get the opportunity to be healthy and to truly "Live Mas."

[Your comment here]

Sincerely,

[Your name]
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