San Francisco Approves Health Warnings on Ads for Sugary Sodas and Other Drinks

Supervisors in San Francisco voted collectively on Tuesday and approved health warnings on ads associated with sugary sodas and some other drinks.

It is believed that if the proposal gets final approval, then San Francisco will become the first city in the United States that will require the manufactures of beverages to display a health warning on ads.

The ordinance defines sugar-sweetened beverages as drinks with more than 25 calories from sweeteners per 12 ounces.

Therefore, it is said that the beverages such as Coca-Cola Zero and other no-calorie drinks would not require a warning, but ads for regular Coca-Cola would.

The law also requires warnings for other products such as sports and energy drinks, vitamin waters and iced teas that exceed the 25 calorie limit.

The ordinance would exempt milk and 100 % natural fruit and vegetable juice drinks from displaying the health warning on ads.

The label for billboards and other ads would read, "WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. This is a message from the City and County of San Francisco".

As per the law this warnings must be displayed in print advertising within city limits including billboards, walls, taxis and buses.

The warning will not be shown in newspapers, circulars, broadcast outlets or the Internet. Soda cans and bottles would not have to carry the warning.