California Considers Mandatory Warning Labels for Sugary Drinks

Because people just don't know.

A bill introduced in the state Legislature yesterday sets up the latest tactic in the battle over soda and other sweetened drinks—a proposal that would require a health-risk warning label on sugary drinks.

"Sugar-sweetened beverages are the single largest reason for the obesity epidemic in California," said Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), author of SB 1000.

"For this reason, we need this bill to establish the Safety Warning Act, to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions about what they're drinking."

The bill would require warning labels on cans and bottles of soda, energy drinks and sweetened teas—any drinks that contain 75 or more calories in 12 ounces.

The warning would say: "STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay."