Warning Labels for Sugary Drinks: What Do You Think?

On February 13, the nation’s first legislation requiring safety warning labels on sugary drinks sold in California was introduced by State Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel). The warning is straightforward and is based on what Senator Monning refers to as conclusive science that links consumption of soda and other sugar-sweetened drinks to escalating rates of obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with

added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.

The state of California is taking a step toward former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s goal to reduce consumption of sugary beverages-and the morbidity and mortality increasingly linked to the consequences of the behavior. Bloomberg’s proposal to ban the sale of oversized drinks at a variety of public outlets drew criticism from many groups protesting against an attack on personal freedoms and warning against the oversight of a nanny state. Business groups also claimed the ban would impact the city’s economy.

What do you think about California’s move?

Will warning labels on sugary drugs be beneficial to people’s health? We invite you to choose an option and add your thoughts and comments below. We’ll then post a summary of the responses here.

A. This a positive first step, as it was for tobacco use.

B. This is yet another attack on personal freedoms.

C. People will simply ignore the warnings, as they did with cigarettes, and go on consuming.

D. People are dying from obesity-related disease, and sugary drinks are a key contributor. Warnings help people make informed choices.