Coca-Cola pays to influence research, report shows

US beverage giant Coca-Cola paid more than eight million euros in France to health professionals and researchers in a bid to influence research, according to an investigation by French newspaper Le Monde published on Thursday.

Coca-Cola paid more than "eight million euros ($9 million) to experts, various medical organisations and also sporting and event organisations," the newspaper said in its front page story.

The newspaper said the aim of the funds was to have research published that would divert attention away from the detrimental effect of sugary drinks on health.

Using data released after intense pressure from civil society after a New York Times 2015 report, Le Monde said that, as in the US, the company's financing is aimed at "making people forget the risks that come with consuming its drinks".

The Times report showed the company gave financial backing to scientists who argued that having more exercise is more important to avoiding obesity than cutting calories. A similar report was published in Spain's El Pais in 2018.

The research informs programs worldwide, with Coca-Cola sponsoring health and lifestyle activities the world over, as part of its Coca-Cola Foundation programs.

In a separate report, the Journal of Public Health Policy said Coca-Cola added multiple clauses to ensuring the research it funds produces the desired result.

These include preventing results that displease the company being published by reserving the right to break contracts without giving a reason.

The drinks multinational has a strong R&D presence in Israel, where it boasts of multiple partnerships with research institutions.

In 2014, it started a commercialization program for Israeli startups called The Bridge, which allows new projects to pilot initiatives in a real-world context.

The Bridge alumni include startups working in a diversity of fields, from transportation to artificial intelligence.