February 1, 2023 

Contact:
Hayley Brundige
hbrundige@council.nyc.gov
332-733-4660

Lisa Flores
lflores@cspinet.org
202-777-8368

City Council Considers Majority Leader Powers’ “Sweet Truth Act” to Combat Diabetes, Promote Healthier Eating

NYC Council Health Committee Hears Legislation to Require Warning Icons on Menu Items with Excessive Added Sugar

New York City, N.Y. — Today, Majority Leader Keith Powers, prominent city health professionals, religious leaders, food policy activists, and more urged the New York City Council’s Health Committee to pass Int. 0687-2022, The Sweet Truth Act, legislation that would give New Yorkers important information about what they eat.  

The bill would require chain restaurants to place warning icons next to all menu items that contain more than 50 grams—or 12 ½ teaspoons—of added sugars. The bill expands on a law passed in 2021 by the NYC Council that will require sugar warnings only on prepackaged items. Speakers will testify on the importance of addressing NYC’s food environment and the substantial impact it has on diet, how excess added sugars can promote diet-related disease, and how this legislation can help New Yorkers make healthier, more informed choices when dining out. 

Among those testifying in support of the bill were: Dr. Ileana Vargas, Columbia University Medical Center; Dr. Laura Sirbu, Primary Care Physician; Dr. Pasquale Rummo, NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Dr. DeAnna Nara, Center for Science in the Public Interest; Rabbi Yonah S. Berman; Aniqa Nawabi, Muslim Community Network; and Sara Kim, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS). 

Chain restaurant menu items, particularly fountain drinks and other sugar sweetened beverages, contain more than a day’s worth of added sugars. Excess consumption of added sugars promotes diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. Similar legislation, affecting only pre-packaged menu items, passed in 2021. The bill is sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, Council Health Committee Chair Lynn Schulman, 37 of 51 members of the City Council, four out of five Borough presidents, and 85 percent of New Yorkers. 

“Like the rest of our country, New York City is facing a diabetes epidemic, with approximately one New Yorker dying every 90 minutes from the disease. It’s time to face the not-so-sweet truth about added sugars in our food and drink options and take action to help New Yorkers lead healthier lives. The Sweet Truth Act is a necessary step to inform and empower New Yorkers to make healthy decisions when they eat out at large chain restaurants, and I look forward to passing this important legislation,” said Majority Leader Keith Powers.  

“COVID-19 is the worst public health crisis of our lifetime and changed the course of public health issues, such as Diabetes,” said Council Member and Health Chair, Lynn Schulman. “In the first COVID surge, New York City sustained a staggering 356% increase in diabetes deaths, the most in the nation and the largest increase of any state.  Excessive sugar consumption is the primary cause of Type 2 Diabetes, which is why I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation that gives restaurant and fast food patrons the ability to monitor their sugar intake.” 

“Unfortunately, the 46th Council District has some of the city’s highest rates of obesity and diabetes, and as a nurse and representative of the district I can’t sit by and allow these potentially deadly issues to persist,” said Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “By shining a spotlight on the high levels of sugar in sodas and other items, the ‘Sweet Truth Act’ will help New Yorkers make the healthy choice, and be fully informed about their dietary choices.” 

“The best way to help people is provide them with quality information,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “The Sweet Truth Act lets people decide what’s best for them and ensures they’re fully aware of the nutritional contents of foods and beverages at large restaurant chains. This bill is a first step toward addressing the historical impacts inadequate access to healthy food options have had on Black and brown, poor and working class communities across the City and shifts the conversation toward one about equity and access.” 

“As a lifestyle coach specializing in diabetes prevention programs, I encounter so many program participants who are not aware of how sugary soda drinks are or how many teaspoons of sugar are in fountain drinks,” said Sara Kim, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York. 

“As a lifestyle coach specializing in diabetes prevention programs, I encounter so many program participants who are not aware of how sugary soda drinks are or how many teaspoons of sugar are in fountain drinks,” said Sara Kim, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York. 

“We need the Sweet Truth Act so that New Yorkers will be able to see at a glance whether the drink, dessert, entrée, or side dish they’re about to order has more than a day’s worth of added sugars,” said Center of Science in the Public Interest Senior Policy Associate, DeAnna Nara. “We are grateful for the leadership of Council Majority Leader Keith Powers, and for the support of a broad and diverse coalition of community groups.”

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