Dear Lowdown:
How do big companies like Pespi and Coca-Cola mass produce and carbonate millions of cans of soda each day?
- Matt Hayes (Chicago)
Dear Matt:
Click. Sip. Ahhh. The sound made each time we take a sip out of that little soda can, the bubbles rise from the roof of our mouth to our nose and we all sit back and wonder: how did the manufacturers get that much deliciousness into one can of soda? Well, it is actually a simple process and those large companies do not carbonate all the cans themselves. The companies have their own little band of helpers called bottlers; who actually carbonate all the cans for the companies. However, as the bottlers sell the product to consumers like you, they leave out information about the enormous health risk you have from drinking all that carbonation, but that will be mentioned later.
Companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi do not do all the work themselves, but they do provide the main ingredient. In the Coca-Cola System, the company only manufactures concentrates, the syrup and beverage bases, then sells them to bottling companies (more than 300 of them), all over the world. Pepsi also does the same, selling their bases to bottlers apart of the Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG). PBG was formed in 1999 (to expand the Pepsi industry), selling and distributing Pepsi beverages and became the world’s largest manufacturer of Pepsi. PBG has operations in places like the U.S., Russia, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Turkey. These bottlers are the ones who produce, package, distribute and merchandise the products. Talk about doing all the dirty work. Those bottling companies distribute the finished product to supermarkets, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, and to retailers such as Wal-mart, Walgreen’s Drug Emporium, Applebee’s Outback Steaks, etc. The companies’ customers eventually sell the drink to the consumer or you, (which eventually you’ll gulp down with a sandwich at lunch time.)
So, the right question would be: how do these bottlers carbonate and mass produce millions of cans around the world? Well, simple. With the extraordinary invention of machines, the bottlers are able to mass produce the soda. How do these machines carbonate that soda? Well, the machines first have to clarify and sterilize the water, making sure no impurities are in the water, so that they do not degrade the taste of the drink. Then, there is a giant tank, or a dosing station, where the syrup is sterilized or pasteurized using ultra-violet radiation. Later on, the water is carefully mixed in with syrup in these machines called proportiners, and the vessels are then pumped with carbon dioxide. The product is finally filled into bottles or cans at a high flow rate and thanks to William Painter who created the great invention of the “crown cap” or bottle cap; we are able to maintain that lovely carbon dioxide in our soft drinks. However, the exact amount of machines and employees that aid in the process of bottle-making cannot be determined since it varies from each bottling company.
Now that you have an idea of how Pepsi and Coca-cola make their delicious drink, there are many consequences to think of after drinking all that carbonation. That little can of soda is made up of ninety-four percent of carbonated water which is infused with carbon dioxide, which is why the consumer can feel that carbonation on their tongue and lips. The company’s scientists figured that carbon dioxide is perfect to use within soft drinks because it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to liquefy. So, if the scientists say it is okay, we should be fine, right? Wrong. Carbon dioxide is extremely acidic and it can cause tremendous amount of heartburn or acid reflux. If that was not enough, try cleaning your oven with a bottle of coke. Some types of soda’s acid is so strong, it can break down and dissolve grease or even other stains and leave anything looking brand new. Luckily, as the Coca Cola Company has noted, the acid in the stomach is much stronger, so you do not have to worry about losing your lunch.
Oh, and let’s not forget to mention how bad all that sugar is for you. The company’s syrup, or beverage base, is usually in a liquid or dry form and makes up only seven to twelve percent of your soft drink. Yet, consuming all that sugar can eventually lead to tooth decay, type two diabetes, a raised insulin level, heart disease and everyone’s favorite, obesity. Also, sodas like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are filled with no nutrition but lots of calories, which probably means more time at the gym trying to work those calories off. Let’s not be fooled by the misleading can of “Diet” soda. Many people believe that diet soda is better than regular soda when in reality; diet soda is filled with artificial sugar, causing you to actual want more soda. Even the caffeine in soda will cause consumers to become additive. The caffeine can also cause dehydration in your body because it causes your kidneys to work harder in pushing out extra liquid. Instead of filling up of sugary sodas, try substituting in water, juice or even tea and your body will thank you later on. So, next time you are slurping on that sweet soft drink, thank those bottlers for creating the amazing tingling on your lips and doing all the hard work. However, you might want to switch from soda to water from time to time, if you enjoy keeping your teeth from looking like an eighty-year old smoker, who has not brushed in days.
You’re Welcome,
Aliyah Oyemade
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