Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health warning labels on certain sugar-sweetened beverages.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from distributing, selling, or offering for sale a “sugar-sweetened beverage” in a sealed beverage container unless the container features a warning that reads as follows: “STATE OF CALIFORNIA SAFETY WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay” (Sec. 2).

• Defines “sugar-sweetened beverage” as a sweetened nonalcoholic beverage, carbonated or noncarbonated, that has added caloric sweeteners and contains 75 calories or more per 12 fluid ounces (Sec. 2).

• Exempts certain beverages from being classified as a sugar-sweetened beverage, including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
• A beverage whose principal ingredient by weight is milk; 
• A beverage containing 100 percent natural fruit juice or natural vegetable juice with no added caloric sweeteners; and
• A liquid product commonly referred to as a “dietary aid” that is manufactured for certain health purposes.

• Requires an individual who owns, leases, or legally controls the premises where a sugar-sweetened beverage is sold to place the safety warning described in the provisions of this bill in the following locations (Sec. 2):
• On the exterior of a vending machine that sells a sugar-sweetened beverage;
• On the exterior of a self-service beverage dispensing machine that dispenses a sugar-sweetened beverage; and
• At the point-of-purchase where a consumer purchases a sugar-sweetened beverage, when the beverage container is filled by an employee of a food establishment.

• Classifies a violation of this bill as a civil penalty with a fine of no less than $50 and no more than $500, beginning July 1, 2015 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text