S.F. Supervisors Vote To Require Warning Labels on Sugary Drink Ads

On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to put health warnings on advertisements for sugar-sweetened beverages, a move that advocates say they will push to expand beyond the city, AP/KPCC's "KPCC News" reports.

If approved by the board in a second vote next week and signed by the mayor, observers say San Francisco would be the first city in the U.S. to require health warnings on advertisements for soda and other drinks.

Details of Health Warnings

The ordinance calls for health warnings to be placed on advertisements for energy drinks, iced teas, sports drinks, sodas and vitamin waters that have more than 25 calories from sweeteners per 12 ounces. All-natural fruit juices, vegetable juices and milk would be exempt from the requirement.

The warnings would alert consumers that the drinks could contribute "to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay."

The warning labels would be placed on ads within the city limits, including:

• Billboards;
• Buses;
• Taxis; and
• Walls.

Advertisements in broadcast outlets, circulars, the Internet and newspapers would not have to include health warnings. In addition, the ordinance does not call for health warnings to be placed on bottles or cans.

Meanwhile, the board on Tuesday also approved measures to:

• Ban ads for sugar-sweetened beverages on city property; and
• Ban city departments from buying sugary beverages.

Reaction

John Maa, a surgeon and board member of the American Heart Association in San Francisco, said proponents of the ordinance will push to expand the warning label requirement to other areas of the state.

Supervisor Eric Mar said approval of the measure could lead to a state ballot initiative to increase taxes on soda.

However, CalBev spokesperson Roger Salazar said the beverage industry group is considering filing a lawsuit against the ordinance, citing potential free speech violations (Har, "KPCC News," AP/KPCC, 6/9).