Calif. Senate Panel Delays Sugary Drink Warning Label Bill Over Costs
On Monday, the state Senate Appropriations Committee held back a bill (SB 1000) that would require all sodas and other sweetened beverages sold in California to carry a warning label about the possible harmful effects of drinking them, the Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal" reports (McGreevy, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 4/28).
The bill would require a warning label be applied to drinks containing 75 calories or more per 12-ounce serving. The label would include warnings about sugar-sweetened beverages contributing to diabetes, obesity and tooth decay (Gorn, "Capitol Desk," California Healthline, 4/10).
The Senate Appropriations committee moved the bill to the suspense file over concerns about its implementation costs.
Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), the bill's author, said he will try to rework the bill to reduce the $390,000 in immediate enforcement costs before re-introducing the measure for a floor vote.
However, Monning maintained that the bill eventually will reduce long-term costs related to obesity.
The bill is opposed by business groups, such as the California Nevada Soft Drink Association and the California Retailers Association. John Latimer, with CRA, said the bill would "add to consumer confusion" ("PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 4/28).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.