June 17, 2014 - 5:24 PM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A legislative committee has rejected a bill that would have made California the first state in the nation to require warning labels on sodas and other sugary drinks, effectively killing the legislation.
The Assembly Committee on Health rejected SB1000 on an 8-7 vote Tuesday as Democratic lawmakers doubted whether a label would change consumer behaviour. It needed 10 votes to pass.
Democratic Sen. Bill Monning says warning labels would be among the most effective tools for educating people about the dangers of sugary drinks, including increased risk for obesity and diabetes.
Representatives of the beverage industry argued that his bill was unfair by not applying to other foods and drinks.
New York City banned large sugary drinks in 2012, prompting lawsuits and an aggressive campaign from businesses.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014