A public health bill proposed to the California Senate would require chain restaurants to have warning labels on their menus for high-sugar drinks. If the bill passes, any chain with 20 or more locations would need a visible “factual warning statement” about drinks with more than 50 percent of a person’s daily sugar limit.
“This information will be placed where it matters most, directly on menus, right at the point of selection, whether printed, digital, or at drive-thrus,” said Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson, who introduced the bill. “[The bill] does not ban products, and it does not limit consumers’ choices. What it does is empower consumers with knowledge to make informed decisions.”
“As a physician, I know firsthand that added sugar can lead to obesity, [blood sugar concerns], heart diseases and other chronic illnesses that are affecting our communities,” said Sen. Weber Pierson. “Sugar drinks are one of the largest sources of added sugar in the American diet, and many people just simply don’t know how much sugar is in what they drink.”
Changing menus costs money. That’s why the bill only applies to chains with 20 or more locations. The aim of the bill wasn’t to harm “mom and pop” businesses but to educate people on their choices.
We love when laws and regulations don’t take choice out of consumers’ hands. Everyone should be able to make their own choices. But no one should be duped. It can be shocking how much sugar is hiding in drinks. While we all have a rough idea that Coca-Cola is almost completely sugar, you probably don’t know how much is in the iced tea or specialty coffee. When you do, it can suddenly be unappealing. No one should be duped into drinking unwanted sugar and calories. Everyone should have the information they need to make the right choice for them. If you want the special drink, go for it! But you should know what you’re drinking.
A study from UC Davis recently found that high sugar warning labels on menus do stop people from ordering unhealthier things. A nationwide study with more than 10,000 people had three kinds of menus. One was unlabeled, one had a black high sugar icon and explanatory text and one had a red icon alone. On average, people who received the menu with the icon and text order 10 less added sugar. People who received the menus with just the icon ordered almost seven grams less added sugar.
“The 50 percent threshold that the California legislature is considering may end up being more effective because it would incentivize restaurants to reformulate more menu items to contain less sugar,” said the study’s lead author, Yuru Huang.
Restaurants may change drinks to have them be lower in sugar to avoid the label. That could lower people’s intake, even without a warning.
