I'm pleased to tell you that PepsiCo has announced that it will not conduct or fund experiments on animals and is pledging to communicate its opposition to animal testing to all entities with which the corporation works. PepsiCo has posted the following statement on its Web site:

"PepsiCo does not do any animal testing and does not directly fund testing using animals. ...Where testing on animals is not required, PepsiCo strongly endorses efficient and effective research that does not include the use of animals. We will encourage our partners to use alternatives to animal testing and share this statement with organizations we believe to be involved in projects potentially involving animal research done on behalf of PepsiCo or with PepsiCo or PepsiCo Foundation funding."

PepsiCo now joins POM Wonderful, Ocean Spray, and Welch's in banning animal tests after hearing from PETA, along with 22 other beverage companies-including Campbell's V8, Sunny Delight, and Old Orchard-that have pledged to PETA that they will not fund or conduct animal tests.

Tragically, companies like Coca-Cola and Unilever (maker of Lipton Tea and other food products) continue to conduct and fund needless tests on animals simply to substantiate health claims or assure product safety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states: "[T]he Agency is not aware of any circumstances that would result in the FDA requiring a food or beverage company to conduct laboratory experiments on animals ..." We need your help to urge these companies to end their animal tests. Please write to them at the addresses shown below:

The Coca-Cola Company
Thomas G. Mattia, SVP and Director
Worldwide Public Affairs and Communications
The Coca-Cola Company
1 Coca-Cola Plaza
Atlanta, GA 30313-2499
404-676-2121
404-676-6792 (fax)
tmattia@na.ko.com

Unilever

THIS SHOCKS ME. I had no idea that Coke and Liptons tested on animals. well, they are over for me. kaput. nada in my house til they quit testing on animals. i'm throwing two cokes down the drain right now............