Coca-Cola leaves sour taste

AUSTRALIAN fresh fruit producers have missed out on a slice of the Olympic Games action.

Contractual arrangements between SOCOG and major Olympic sponsor Coca-Cola has given that company a guarantee of all beverage sales at the games.

Coca-Cola has an agreement with Pacific Beverages, which distributes reconstituted fruit juices from Brazil, Argentina and China.

Primary Industry Minister Monty House has blasted the arrangement.

“The world is coming to see us and I feel very disappointed that our primary producers are missing out,” Mr House said.

“WA’s fruit industry is currently worth $1 million and a small slice of the fruit juice sales at the Games could have given our farmers not only a financial boost but valuable exposure,” he said.