Coke takes stand on animal testing

Coca-Cola Co. will urge research firms and organizations it supports to avoid testing on animals after pressure from an animal rights group. PepsiCo Inc. established similar guidelines last month.

Coca-Cola, the world’s largest soft drink maker, had funded taste tests on rats at Virginia Commonwealth University, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Coca-Cola spokeswoman Kari Bjorhus said the company had discontinued funding the tests.

Coca-Cola doesn’t conduct animal tests of its own and will insist that outside research groups use alternative testing methods whenever possible, Danny Strickland, the company’s chief of innovation and technology, wrote in a letter to PETA dated May 22.