Beverage Industry Touts Choices, Portion Size In New Subway Ad Campaign

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - New York City's anti-obesity ad campaign has previously raised eyebrows with its graphic imagery and controversial use of Photoshop. Now it seems the powerhouses of the soft drink industry are taking on the ad campaign with one of their own.

PepsiCo Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. are joining the battle. Their advocacy group, the American Beverage Association, is rolling out an ad campaign touting "More Choices, Smaller Portions, Fewer Calories." The ads will reportedly appear in the subway system.

The ABA has also rolled out a new television ad. The ad says the beverage industry has developed a "wide range of new choices," added clear calorie labels, and replacing high calorie drinks in schools.  Click here to watch it.

Under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City's Health Department has stepped up its attacks on consumption of unhealthy amounts of sugary beverages. New York City has a web page devoted to the issue, pointing out that just one 20 ounce soda daily is the equivalent of eating 50 pounds of sugar a year. They've also rolled out a series of commercials on the topic, including one that claims you would have to walk from Union Square to Brooklyn to burn off the calories of just one 20 ounce can of soda. It's all part of a campaign that asks "Are you pouring on the pounds?"

A spokesman for the American Beverage Association told Bloomberg.com that the city's campaign is "discriminatory and singles out one product out of an array of foods and beverages, all of which contribute equally to this very complex issue."

What do you think about the industry's move? What about the city's campaign? Sound off in our comments section below.