New name for ASDA

The Australian Soft Drinks Association (ASDA) changed its name to the Australian Beverages Council (Australian Beverages) at its 16 August 2004 annual general meeting.

Outgoing president and division corporate affairs director of Coca-Cola South Pacific, Geoff Walsh said: "The new name represents the reality of the Association's membership - we are no longer just soft drink companies, with our members' product range covering bottled water, fruit drinks and juices, sports and isotonic drinks, iced teas and coffees, energy and other formulated drinks."

Incoming president, Andrew Dawson, general manager, science and technology, of Cadbury Schweppes Australia & New Zealand, said: "For some time, ASDA has been active on regulatory and other issues across a whole range of products, having been instrumental in getting a standard approved for energy drinks and now in obtaining adoption of a workable fortification policy by the Australia New Zealand Food Regulations Ministerial Council - the new name is a reflection of this broadening scope."

Tony Gentile, chief executive of Australian Beverages, added: "Adoption of the new name is part of a worldwide movement. The Canadian Soft Drink Association adopted 'Refreshments Canada' as its name last year, the US National Soft Drink Association became the 'American Beverage Association' last month and the International Soft Drinks Council changed its name to the 'International Council of Beverage Associations' at its meeting in Sydney last May.

"Australian Beverages will concentrate its efforts on issues associated with water- and juice-based non-alcoholic beverages. Our aim is to continue to work cooperatively with other food and beverage associations in Australia and New Zealand, in pursuit of common aims."

Australian Beverages Council Ltd; Suite 4, 6-8 Crewe Place, Rosebery 2018.