Coke ending sponsorship of dietitians group

Coca-Cola says it will not renew its sponsorship of a professional group for dietitians, bringing to a halt one of many outreach efforts on health by the world's biggest soda maker.

The Atlanta-based company said its decision was driven by its "budget realities," rather than criticism over such partnerships. It said it will also not renew current contracts with the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Cardiology when they end this year. The groups were informed of the decision earlier this summer, the company said Tuesday.