A bill requiring warning labels on sodas sold in California is back in the legislature after a defeat last year. The bill failed it's first senate hearing yesterday.
The label would look similar to the warning on cigarettes.
In would read, "Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."
Senate majority leader Bill Monning is sponsoring the bill.
"Science has proven that sugar in liquid form is absorbed much more rapidly by the body and these drinks pose a much greater danger to public health than the same sugar in solid foods," says Monning.
But, UC Davis nutrition expert Liz Applegate argues that the bill would misguide consumers.
"Obesity and diabetes can simply not be narrowed down to a once causative factor and sugar sweetened beverages are not the cause."
She says diabetes is caused by numerous factors like inactivity, genetics and excess calories from all sources.
The label would be required on drinks with added sugar and 75 calories or more. These would include sodas, sweet teas, and energy drinks.
The bill failed it's first senate hearing yesterday. It was also defeated last year.
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