RESEARCH PROJECT:

Coca-Cola's Dark Side: What the Public Needs to Know

by:

Jason Huynh

Cal Poly Pomona

English 1103 Section 11

Mr. Carman

19 May 2023
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Jason Huynh

English 1103

08 May 2023

Coca-Cola's Dark Side: What the Public Needs to Know

Coca-Cola is a multinational corporation established in Atlanta, GA, with its

headquarters as a 29-story tower. The company was formed in May 1886 when pharmacist Dr.

John S. Pemberton created a syrup out of curiosity. The distinctive-tasting soft drink has evolved

into the beverage company we know today, with almost 225 bottling partners across 900 bottling

plants and a diverse community with over 700,000 employees worldwide. Out of their 200

brands of beverages, some of the most popular products among consumers are Coca-Cola, Dr.

Pepper, Sprite, Fanta, and Powerade. Many would agree that Coca-Cola is known as one of the

most successful, fun, and refreshing brands worldwide. But this company has a dark side that

they do not want revealed to the public.

One dark side of Coca-Cola is the false reputation the company set for itself while lying

to its consumers. The Earth Island Institute sued Coca-Cola in 2021 for deceiving the public by

marketing itself as sustainable and environmentally friendly while polluting more than other

beverage companies and preventing effective recycling measures within the United States. Being

labeled as one of the largest contributors to pollution, Coca-Cola generates about 2.9 million tons

of plastic waste annually, with 200,000 plastic bottles per minute amounting to one-fifth of the

world’s polyethylene terephthalate bottle output (Baroni). Because this plastic production relies

on fossil fuels, the C02 emissions from this process are harmful to humans and the environment

because of air pollution. Not only has Coca-Cola failed to implement an effective recycling
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strategy, but they outright opposed any legislation improving recycling rates, such as bottle bills

encouraging consumers to return containers to recycling centers in exchange for a refund. While

Coke has not violated any environmental laws, the Earth Island Institute seeks Coca-Cola to be

held accountable for misleading consumers about its environmental impact and failing to take the

necessary actions toward sustainability by pushing the responsibility to their consumers.

Another dark side of the company has to be the alleged presence of toxic substances

within its products. One of the most recent examples was on December 28, 2022, when Joseph

Lurenz filed a 45-page lawsuit against Simply Beverages, a Coca-Cola subsidiary, claiming that

Simply Tropical Juice contained "forever chemicals'' and a high level of toxic PFAS known to be

harmful to human health. Consumption of the substance may lead to cancer, fetal complications,

liver and liver disease, and other serious health issues. The lawsuit alleges that the company had

a marketing effort to convince consumers that Simply beverages contain simple natural

ingredients. However, analysis has shown that "forever chemicals'' are commonly found in other

products, such as non-stick frying pans, cosmetics, water-repellent sports gear, and many more

(Perkins). Their attempt to market themselves as all-natural further illustrates how they

intentionally incorporated "Simply" into their brand name to drive sales and profits, taking

advantage of their health-conscious consumers. While the case is still ongoing, this incident

highlights its failure to disclose the presence of harmful chemicals within its products. Not only

that but how Coca-Cola prioritizes profits over the health and safety of its consumers.

Additionally, employees are still facing discrimination from the Coca-Cola company.

While the company claims they encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workplace

and society, that statement does not seem to apply to a Hawaiian Coca-Cola employee, Tammy

L. Josue. She suffered a work-related injury and was placed on a twelve-month leave of absence
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by Coca-Cola due to its disability leave policy in May 2009. On September 1, 2010, her doctor

authorized her to work again, but upon return, Coca-Cola informed her that another worker

replaced her previous position. Josue filed a complaint two weeks later when the company

informed her of termination if she did not take a position within twelve weeks. While Coca-Cola

tried to appeal the lawsuit, the Hawaii Supreme Court and Department of Labor concluded that

the company violated Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 378 because they attempted to force

Josue to take downgraded positions or positions she did not qualify for purely based on her work

injury. Her attorney, T.J. Lane explains, “Coke’s discrimination wasn’t just unlawful, it was an

appropriation of Ms. Josue’s right to work by Coke. The discrimination by Coke towards one of

its loyal and hard-working employees was disgraceful,” (Harjo-Livingston). Josue’s case is just

one example of the ongoing discrimination employees face at Coca-Cola. The fact she was

forced to file a lawsuit to protect her right to work indicates the larger issue within the company’s

corporate culture. Regardless of their background or personal circumstances, it is crucial that

large companies should be taken into account for and take the responsibility in making changes

to ensure that all employees should be treated fairly and equitably.

Perhaps the worst dark side is that Coca-Cola is dehydrating communities of their water

sources in areas where the company operates, leaving locals with water scarcity issues. The

company alleged depleting water sources and causing environmental concerns. Especially in

Mexico, which is facing its worst water crisis in 30 years due to climate change, yet beverage

companies, including Coca-Cola, refuse to halt their water usage and continue to extract

groundwater for their plantations from private wells, leading to many protests and legal battles

from affected communities. When asked to give up 28% of the water they used for public use,

Coca-Cola refuses to elaborate nor mention lowering the prices of the necessary drinking water
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they sell. Resident Noyola reasoned, “How do you assign a price to water? It’s a human

right…But these companies, namely Coca-Cola, in selling bottled water as the only potable

water source, have made their product obligatory. Now water cost nearly as much as gasoline”

(​​Perlmutter). Coca-Cola has attempted to defend itself, claiming it is a responsible steward of

water resources and investing in conservation efforts. However, as Noyola points out, the

exploitation of water by large corporations like Coca-Cola is an issue that addresses the morality

of profiting from a resource that should be a fundamental human right.

An intriguing website that provides a comprehensive aspect of the dark side of Coca-Cola

would have to be KillerCoke.org. Created by Ray Rogers, longtime labor and human rights

activist, its purpose is to raise awareness about the alleged human rights violation and

environmental damage caused by the Coca-Cola Company (Rogers). The site details and stores

multiple information about their labor practices, environmental impact, and health consequences

among consumers. Furthermore, it provides data about the efforts of activists and workers to

hold Coca-Cola accountable for its actions. The website stores testimonials from mistreated

workers of the company and provides additional sources for individuals and organizations who

want to take action against Coca-Cola. The existence of KillerCoke.org is evidence that

Coca-Cola is hiding its dark secrets from the public. The website provides a wealth of

information regarding the alleged harm caused by Coca-Cola, reminding consumers to be aware

that their purchasing decisions may impact the world around them.

In conclusion, Coca-Cola’s dark side is a stark contrast to the reputation that it portrays

itself as a fun and refreshing brand. While the company may try to hide a facade of sustainability

and responsibility, it is clear that its actions do not match their words. This company has a lot of

dark sides, and if more people knew about them, they probably would not use their products.
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Annotated Bibliography

Baroni, Megan. “Coca-Cola Sued For Deceptive Sustainability Claims.” National Law Review,

Robinson & Cole LLP, 10 June 2021,

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/coca-cola-sued-deceptive-sustainability-claims.

Harjo-Livingston, Sandy. “Coca-Cola employment discrimination found unlawful.” KHON2,

Nexstar Media Inc, 23 January 2023,

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/coca-cola-employment-discrimination-found-unlawf

ul.

Perkins, Tom. “'All-natural' Simply Tropical juice has high toxic PFAS levels, lawsuit alleges.”

The Guardian, 25 January 2023,

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/19/simply-orange-juice-coca-cola-pfa

s-class-action-lawsuit.

Perlmutter, Lillian. “'It's plunder': Mexico desperate for water while drinks companies use

billions of litres.” The Guardian, 28 July 2022,

http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/jul/28/water-is-the-real-thing-but-

millions-of-mexicans-are-struggling-without-it.

Ray, Rogers. “Killer Coke A Never-ending Story of Exploitation, Greed, Lies, Cover-ups and

Complicity in Kidnapping, Torture, Murder and other Gross Human Rights Abuses.”

Killer Coke, 04 October 2004,

http://killercoke.org/about.php.