Dive Brief:
- A California bill that would have required manufacturers to put warning labels on sugary drinks died in a Senate committee.
- The label would have read, "STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."
- The bill only garnered four "yes" votes in the Senate committee, one short of what it needed to pass the committee. A comparable bill died in the California legislature in 2014.
Dive Insight:
Health concerns surrounding sugar and sweeteners abound, particularly when it comes to the rapidly rising rate of obesity in the U.S. This prompted the World Health Organization to release new guidelines for sugar consumption that drastically reduce the recommended daily sugar intake. To keep up, several companies have begun announcing changes in products, including Coca-Cola Co.'s Coca-Cola Canada, General Mills' Yoplait yogurt, and most recently, Nestle's Nesquik.
What's potentially confusing for food and beverage companies, however, is that despite the outcry against sugar-laden food and drinks, certain research shows that this hasn't actually led to decreased spending by consumers on these products.
Dr. Liz Applegate, director of the sports nutrition program at University of California, Davis, who testified on behalf of the American Beverage Association, said, "We insult consumers by simplifying a complex disease and stating that sugar-sweetened beverages cause their obesity," the Los Angeles Times reported.
Another suggestion for dealing with rising obesity rates in the U.S. is a soda tax, though that has also been met with disdain from food companies and some legislators.