Atlanta based beverage giant Coca-Cola has announced a dip in profit in the latest quarter.
Despite recording a rise in global volume of 1 percent during the quarter, volume fell 1 percent in North America with a 4 percent drop in soda.
The drop in performance has been attributed to challenging economic conditions and bad weather as reported by The Mercury.
Recent initiatives to combat the obesity epidemic including a failed attempt to introduce a ban on super-sized high sugar drinks by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, have aided in raising awareness of the calorie content of soft drinks.
Although North American consumers are drinking less soda, the company has recorded a quarterly 5 percent rise in its bottled water sales throughout the region.
Both Coke-Cola and chief rival PepsiCo are currently in the process of developing sodas which use a low-calorie natural sweetener. Executives from both companies are said to be optimistic that the development of such a drink will be of benefit to the industry.
Coca-Cola earned $US2.68b or 59 cents per share for the quarter which is down from US$2.79b or 61 cents per share a year prior. The company stated that excluding one-time items, Coca-Cola earned 63 cents per share which was in line with Wall Street expectations.
Revenue for the company fell to $US12.75b, below the $US12.95b that analysts had expected.