A California bill that would require health warnings on sugary drinks moved forward in the legislature today. The warning label would tell consumers that the drink in their hand could contribute to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Dr. Ashby Wolf is a family physician in Oakland. She says she sees multigenerational families grappling with diabetes. And she supports anything that can help her patients make the link between their health and what they eat and drink.
“Most of my patients aren’t aware of the health risks of these beverages until I’m able to have that conversation with them. So a warning label is actually an additional step that I can advocate for as a physician because I just can’t get to my patients fast enough.” - Dr. Ashby Wolf
The soft drink and restaurant industries oppose the bill. Opponents say there are a number of causes of obesity. They say drink warnings would be confusing to business owners who would face a penalty for selling unlabeled products.
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