Coca-Cola now with Chinese herbal remedies

The Coca-Cola Company has strengthened its share of the healthy beverages market by opening the Coca-Cola Research Center for Chinese Medicine at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing.

“We see this centre as an important step in strengthening our innovation pipeline for beverages that contribute to wellbeing,” said Dr Rhona Applebaum, vice-president, chief scientific and regulatory officer of The Coca-Cola Company.

“This collaboration will ultimately help us bring the insights and benefits of traditional Chinese medicine to consumers all over the world. As the world’s largest beverage company, we can add global reach and world-class marketing skills to help promote Chinese wisdom in preventive holistic health through new and innovative beverages.”

The centre will leverage the research expertise of the company and the academy’s team of researchers and state-of-the-art scientific technologies. It will focus on beverages using Chinese herbal ingredients and formulas.

“Chinese medicine is a science that has evolved through thousands of years of practice,” said Dr Hongxin Cao, president of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

“The broad range of factors considered in Chinese medical sciences provide for a more holistic view on health. Prevention is one of the key guiding philosophies behind Chinese medical sciences. As a result, Chinese medicine has theories and practices to help people live healthier lives.

“By joining forces with The Coca-Cola Company, we will be much more effective in bringing Chinese medicine to the world through packaged beverages.”

The China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences is China’s national centre for research, health care and education in traditional Chinese medicine. It is administered under the Ministry of Public Health through the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China. The Academy employs 3100 professionals, including 800 doctors and professors working in 11 research institutions, five hospitals and clinics and several educational and publishing branches.