Proposed legislation calls for safety warnings on sodas, other sugary drinks

Legislation requiring safety warning labels on sugary drinks sold in California was introduced Thursday. If it passes, the law – which would be the first of its kind in the nation – will warn consumers that drinking such beverages contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
The measure, called SB 1000, was introduced by State Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) and would place a warning on the front of all beverage containers for drinks with added sweeteners that have 75 or more calories per 12 ounces.
“When the science is this conclusive, the state of California has a responsibility to take steps to protect consumers,” said Monning in a press release. “As with tobacco and alcohol warnings, this legislation will give Californians essential information they need to make healthier choices.”
It’s not just tooth decay that legislators are trying to fight. Drinking just one soda a day increases an adult’s likelihood of being overweight by 27 percent, the press release states. For children, that likelihood doubles to 55 percent.
More than 60 percent of the state’s adults ($16.6 million in total) and nearly 40 percent of the state’s children are overweight, leading to higher incidences of diabetes and other disorders, including heart disease, cancer and asthma, according to a fact sheet from the California Center for Public Health Advocacy website.
“As physicians, we’re desperate to break the cycle of diabetes and obesity we see in our offices every day,” explains Dr. Ashby Wolfe of the California Medical Association, which is also sponsoring the legislation. “These drinks have become a major part of the American diet, and we drink them without a second thought to the damage they do to our health. Consumers have a right to know about the unique health problems associated with soda and other sugary drinks.”
For more information on the legislation and research results that link sugary beverages to diabetes, obesity and cavities, visit www.sodawarninglabel.org.