California Will Not Enact Sugary Drinks Warning Label

* Updated 6/18/14 3:30 PST

California will not become the first state to require warning labels on sugary drinks. Although the state’s Senate passed Senator Bill Monning’s (D-Carmel) Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Safety Warning Act in May, the bill did not pass a vote in the state Legislature yesterday.

SB1000 proposed that non-alcoholic drinks containing added sugar and 75 calories or more per 12 fl oz bear a warning label reading “State of California Safety Warning: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.”

Yesterday’s Legislature vote was close (7-8). The Senate vote in May was 21-13.

“While I am disappointed SB 1000 did not pass out of Committee, I remain committed to pursuing this issue and being part of a broad public health campaign to educate communities about the proven health risks of sugary drinks,” stated Monning. “Protecting the public’s health from the adverse effects of these products will help combat the diabetes and obesity epidemics in California.”

Beverage industry trade group the California/Nevada Soft Drink Association says that “Warning labels are not a solution to change behaviors or teach people about healthy lifestyles. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is down, diabetes is up, and obesity is up. It’s misleading to single out sugar-sweetened beverages as a unique or significant contributor to these health issues. The numbers just don’t add up.”

According to Food Safety News, a February 2014 poll found that 74% of California voters-including 86% of Latinos-supported the warning label.

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine jennifer.grebow@ubm.com