San Francisco elected leaders are backing a state bill that would add warning labels to sugary drinks such as sodas and energy drinks.
At the San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday afternoon, Supervisor Eric Mar introduced a resolution that supports legislation by state Sen. Bill Monning, D-Carmel, that would require a warning label on cans and bottles of soda, energy and sports drinks, and fruit drinks with added sweeteners that have 75 calories or more per 12 ounces.
As part of the so-called Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Safety Warning Act, a label would warn consumers that added sugars “contribute to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.”
Mar said at the meeting that he wants know that his children are drinking beverages that have up to the equivalent of eight to 10 teaspoons of sugar.
He said this bill sends a message to the soda industry to spell out the health risks of drinking its products.
It also helps parents make more informed decisions about what their children drink, he said.
Supervisors Scott Wiener, Malia Cohen and David Chiu also gave their support for the resolution.
Monning’s bill was introduced earlier this month, as was legislation in San Francisco for a soda tax to be placed on the November ballot.
Mar, Wiener and Cohen introduced the legislation that would levy a 2-cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks sold in the city.
The tax measure is also sponsored by Supervisors John Avalos, David Chiu and David Campos.
The tax measure would require two-thirds voter approval to pass.
Money from the tax would go to nutrition and physical education programs at schools.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
