EXHIBIT 99.1 ------------ THE COCA-COLA COMPANY NEWS RELEASE MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 1734, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30301 Telephone (404) 676-2121 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - --------------------- Contact: Ben Deutsch (404) 676-2683 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY ISSUES STATEMENT -------------------------------------- ATLANTA, Jan. 14, 2004 -- The Coca-Cola Company this afternoon received an order of investigation issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC investigation arises from the allegations raised in civil litigation filed last year in Atlanta by Matthew Whitley, a former employee. The Whitley civil litigation has since been settled. The Company will continue to cooperate fully with the SEC's investigation.