For Immediate Release
November 2, 2023
Contact: Isaac Andino
646-907-2658
Iandino@council.nyc.gov
New York City Council Takes Major Action to Improve Health Transparency and Outcomes with the Passage of the “Sweet Truth Act”
New Law Will Strengthen Public Health Regulations and Create a Healthier Environment for New Yorkers By Providing Them With the ‘Sweet Truth’ About How Much Added Sugar is in Their Food
Today—at the start of Diabetes Awareness Month—the New York City Council voted 44-7 to approve Intro. 687-A, requiring chain restaurants with more than 15 locations in the city to add clearly visible sugar icons and a warning statement next to food items that exceed the recommended amount of added sugar, as determined by the FDA.
The new law, similar to current regulations requiring the display of calories and excessive sodium, would impact more than 2,000 popular chain restaurants throughout the city, provide New Yorkers with greater transparency when making decisions about what to eat, and lead to improved health outcomes.
“I’ll keep this short and sweet: Today’s passage of Intro. 687 will help New Yorkers make smarter dietary decisions and lead healthier lives. With diabetes and heart disease claiming far too many lives each year, the Sweet Truth Act provides much-needed transparency and information on the amount of added sugars found in our food,” said City Council Majority Leader Keith Powers.
“With New York facing alarming increases in diabetes, in both adults and children, communities deserve the truth about the amount of added sugars in foods and beverages offered at chain restaurants,” said Dr. DeAnna Nara, senior policy associate at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “This bill finally answers the community’s calls for warnings to cover all high-added sugars items, empowering consumers to make better choices and encouraging the food industry to present healthier options.”
Limited Information and Adverse Health Outcomes
Added sugars, such as corn syrup and malt syrup, are frequently added to processed or prepared foods but contain no essential nutrients. Consuming an excessive amount of added sugar has been linked to health complications including weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Unfortunately, information on how much added sugar is in a food or beverage is usually not immediately available when choosing what to get at a restaurant, and it is easy to quickly exceed recommended amounts. For instance, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 36 grams a day of added sugar for men and 25 for women. Just one 12 oz can of soda contains 32 grams of added sugar, essentially an entire day’s worth. Even more concerning, children consume far more added sugar a day – about 66 grams.
Building on Previous Legislation and Best Practices
The legislation voted on today expands on a previous bill spearheaded by then-Council Member Mark Levine and approved by the City Council at the end of 2021, Local Law 33 of 2022. The law directed restaurant chains to provide a warning icon next to prepackaged foods and beverages that contained more than 50 grams of added sugar (the recommended daily limit by the FDA based on an average 2,000 calorie diet).
Local Law 33 made New York City the first municipality in the country to require some type of warning for an excessive amount of added sugar. It also cements the city’s reputation as a public health leader: in 2015 the city was the first in the country to require warnings for food items that contain an excessive amount of sodium.
“We know the negative impacts that consuming extraordinary amounts of sugar can have on an individual’s health, and it’s essential that we ensure that New Yorkers have the information they need to make informed decisions about the food they eat,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “The Sweet Truth Act builds upon our work to arm New Yorkers with information about their health, and I’m grateful for Majority Leader Powers’ leadership on this issue.”
Additionally, this approach to public health is rooted in promising, real-world results. Sugary drink consumption dropped by nearly 25 percent in the 18 months after Chile adopted “high in sugar” nutrient warnings on food and drink packaging nationwide. Additional research from randomized controlled trials has similarly shown that warnings on sugary drinks can significantly reduce sugary drink purchases.
Flexible Timeline for Businesses
The FDA is currently going through the rule-making process to issue a final regulation requiring restaurants to include information on added sugars in nutritional information for non-packaged goods. The Sweet Truth Act will require that restaurants in New York City display an added sugar icon next to items that exceed the daily recommended limit within one year of the FDA regulation going into effect. This will provide businesses with sufficient time to prepare for both federal and local regulations to come into effect.
“Diabetes is a deadly chronic disease, and diabetes Type 2 is easily prevented by controlling sugar intake,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Health Committee. “That is why I am so pleased to be a co-prime sponsor of the Sweet Truth Act which will enable consumers to make educated choices about their sugar intake when ordering at fast food chains. With the passage of this bill and the recent citywide launch of HealthyNYC, to enhance health outcomes, the health of all New Yorkers will be greatly improved.”
“Ensuring transparency in our food choices is vital for the health and well-being of New York’s diverse communities. The Sweet Truth Act is a significant step forward in promoting informed decisions, empowering residents to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. As an advocate for the Muslim community in our city, MCN understands the importance of dietary awareness in relation to faith-based practices and overall health. We are proud to support Intro 687 and believe that, once passed, it will be a catalyst for positive change in our city’s food culture,” said Husein Yatabarry, Executive Director of the Muslim Community Director.
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