PepsiCo is the world’s number two soft drink maker. It has pledged to remove its full-sugared drinks from schools worldwide by 2012. This withdrawal will affect around 200 countries. This is the first time a company, not being under compulsion, is withdrawing its product and has admitted that sugary drinks might not be the most healthy drink choices for children or adults.

In 2006, PepsiCo and the number one soda maker Coca Cola had agreed to remove their sugary drinks from all U.S. schools. Health groups have been attacking various companies, claiming that the sugar is contributing to obesity and the rise in Diabetes.

Earlier this month, Coke said that it would only sell its sugary colas in secondary schools but would withdraw them from elementary schools worldwide. Coke and Pepsi have both been working on tasty water drinks as replacements for the sodas being withdrawn from the schools.

Soda companies are under attack in New York and elsewhere, where taxes of a few cents are being proposed on their sodas. In this case it is not concern for the health of the children. It is the need for states to tax anything and everything to gain funds for their enormous state deficits.