California Introduces Warning Label Legislation for Soft Drinks

California State Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel) has introduced legislation (SB 1000) that would require all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) containing more than 75 calories per 12-ounce serving to carry safety warnings. Co-sponsored by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Safety Warning Act would direct manufacturers, distributors and retailers to place the following notice on sealed containers, multipacks and vending machines, as well as any premises where SSBs are sold in unsealed containers: “STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.” The bill would also mandate the two-year retention of business records pertaining to the distribution, purchase or sale of SSBs as part of a statewide effort “to determine the quantity and type of sugar-sweetened beverages distributed, purchased or sold.”

“When the science is this conclusive, the State of California has a responsibility
to take steps to protect consumers,” said Monning in a February 13, 2014,
press release. “As with tobacco and alcohol warnings, this legislation will give
Californians essential information they need to make healthier beverage
choices.”

Meanwhile, a recent poll commissioned by the California Endowment
reported that 74 percent of California voters support health warnings labels
on sugary drink products similar to those found on cigarettes. Conducted
November 14 through December 5, 2013, the Field-TCE Obesity and Diabetes
Prevention Survey contacted 1,002 registered voters in California via telephone
to solicit their opinions on SSB warning labels, SSB taxation and other
topics. In addition to bipartisan support for SSB warning labels, the poll
allegedly found that 67 percent of voters favor proposals to use the revenue
from SSB taxation to fund school nutrition and physical activity programs for
children.

“Consumers will benefit by having warning labels on soda packaging just
as they did when warning labels were placed on tobacco products,” said
California Endowment Senior Vice President Daniel Zingale. “With obesity as
a very real threat to the health of their children, parents need this information
in order to make decisions about what’s best for their families.” See Field
Research Corp., February 20, 2014.

Issue 514