ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Co. recently initiated two efforts to help calorie-conscious consumers.

Earlier this month, the company announced plans to launch a 90-calorie mini can later this year. Coke says the smaller can, which contains 7.5 ounces of the soft drink, is designed to give consumers a better way to manage their calories.

"As the world’s largest beverage company, we take seriously the need to help consumers balance calories consumed with calories expended," says Sandy Douglas, president of Coca-Cola North America. "The Coca-Cola mini-can innovation reinforces the company’s support for healthy, active lifestyles."

She notes that Coke expects to extend the reduced-size cans to several of its other brands, including Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola and Barq’s Root Beer.

The 90-calorie cans, which are being sold in eight-packs, initially will be rolled out in the Washington, D.C., and New York City markets in December.

Executives say the rollout will expand to the rest of the country after that, and the mini cans should be available nationwide by March.

"The Coca-Cola mini can is a great option for smaller thirst occasions, and for calorie-conscious consumers," comments Hendrik Steckhan, president and general manager of sparkling beverages for Coca-Cola North America. "Our new, sleek mini can supports the idea of moderation."

The package introduction comes in the wake of Coca-Cola’s announcement last month that it will start including calorie information on the packaging of nearly all of its products.

In addition, the company has unveiled a new partnership with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, which advocates a common-sense approach to helping reduce obesity by 2015.

"Coca-Cola is the world’s most valuable brand, and with that comes a leadership responsibility," chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent says about the decision to put calorie content on the labels. "Now more than ever, people expect facts about the products they consume to be both readily available and visible."