One of the hundreds of reasons we love S.F. is for its inhabitants' keen focus on health and nutrition. Almost acting as the poster child for the healthy West Coast stereotype, there are certain things that have slowly become uncouth here. Gulping down a soda packed with artificial ingredients is definitely one of those. What, no natural cane sugar? Pass!
Considering the aforementioned ethos, it's no surprise that our fine state is suggesting implementing warning labels on soda, according to The Verge. California senator Bill Monning wrote a bill, The Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Safety Warning Act, that delves into delivering awareness and risks associated with the beverages. The label will warn consumers and read, "STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."
The message would be smacked on everything from bottles and vending machines to restaurant menus. Think you can get away with ignoring it? Nope, beverage companies that don't follow this new mandate will be fined up to $500. Ouch! That’s a big price to pay for a little sip. If it is approved, it will go into effect July 1, 2015.