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California lawmakers on Thursday advanced the last major surviving bill in a package aimed at reducing consumption of sodas, approving a measure that would require health warning labels on sugary drinks.
The measure by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) received a bare majority of votes even though some Democrats withheld votes while others in the majority party joined Republicans in opposition.
The latest action follows this year’s shelving of measures that would have put a tax on soda and banned “Big Gulp”-style sodas in an effort to address health risks including obesity and diabetes that are posed by sugary drinks.
“They represent the single leading source of increased bad calories that are being promoted in our communities and pushed on communities of color,” Monning said during the floor debate, citing a “national epidemic” of diabetes.
The label on container would say: “STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) may contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay.”
[...] The American Beverage Assn. opposed the bill with a strong push by lobbyists and while making major political contributions to state lawmakers.
The industry argued that the bill and its health impact claims went too far.
“There are already more effective ways to help people manage their overall sugar consumption rather than through mandatory and misleading messages,” said Steven Maviglio, a spokesman for the American Beverage Assn.
[...] Legislators are also still considering a bill that would bar the soda industry from offering subsidies including discount coupons that encourage soda consumption.
(Score: 3, Informative) by exaeta on Wednesday May 29 2019, @09:29PM (1 child)
Contrary to some medically unsound but popular beliefs, sugar is not a drug.
While consumption of excessive amounts of sugar can definitely lead to health issues, a single can of soda does not actually have all that much calories. It's the very large soda drinks that get people. Would you get fat if you consumed 64 Fl Oz of potatoes every meal? Probably. In that regard, it's the caloric quantity, rather than the "added sugar" that makes it dangerous.
There are also no studies comparing equivalent consumption of not-added sugars, e.g. apple juice, that I'm aware of. I'm going to assume the effect will be the same, the carbonic acid shouldn't be making you fat.
The Government is a Bird
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Wednesday May 29 2019, @10:31PM
I'd have to see the Simpsons episode before passing final judgement on this one.
Aren't most hash-brown/french-fry type products basically pureed potatoes reformed into sticks? I've been wondering about that recently.