Res 0073-2014

By Council Members Williams, Vacca and Rosenthal Whereas, The United States is facing an obesity epidemic and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults are obese; and Whereas, This epidemic also impacts children as approximately 12.5 million children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese; and Whereas, There are many factors that contribute to obesity including caloric intake, level of physical activity, environment, and genetics; and Whereas, Obesity is also an acute problem in New York City, as a majority of New Yorkers are overweight or obese, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH); and Whereas, According to the DOHMH, the biggest contributor to obesity is the sugar that people consume; and Whereas, Sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, sports drinks, fruit drinks and tea drinks, are a common source of sugar, with some containing 16 teaspoons of added sugar in a 20-ounce serving; and Whereas, Due to the negative impact that sugar sweetened beverages can have on an individual's health, many organizations have urged the United States Food and Drug Administration to take action; and Whereas, The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), along with other health groups and state agencies, including, but not limited to, the American Public Health Association, the Trust for America's Health, and the New York State Department of Health, have advocated for messages warning consumers about the risks of weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and other associated health problems; and Whereas, CSPI recommended several labels including: "This drink contains 250 calories. Consider switching to water;" "Drinking too many sugary drinks can promote diabetes and heart disease;" and "For better health, the U.S. government recommends that you limit your consumption of sugary drinks;" and Whereas, CSPI believes that warning labels will raise public awareness about the possible health concerns associated with consuming sugar sweetened beverages; and Whereas, Government must take an increased role in combating the obesity epidemic; and Whereas, Providing warning labels on sugar sweetened beverages is one method to educate the public about the serious health consequences associated with these products; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Food and Drug Administration to require warning labels on sugar sweetened beverages. CP Res 1264/2012 LS 445/2014