NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – In a move to combat diet-related health issues, New York City is on its way to pass a bill on Thursday that would require chain restaurants to identify menu items that contain excessive amounts of added sugar.
“We see a major crisis in the city – and beyond it – when it comes to nutrition and obesity,” Councilmember Keith Powers told Gothamist. “We are trying to make New Yorkers eat healthier and live healthier lifestyles.”
With nearly half of the councilmen supporting the bill, it’s expected to pass, requiring restaurants with 15 or more locations to label menu items exceeding the FDA's daily value for added sugars.
If the bill passes, restaurants who do not label their menus could start facing fines of $200 per violation starting June 19, 2024.
New York City became the first in the nation to enact a law that mandates added sugars warnings on prepackaged foods sold in chain restaurants.
Known as INT-1326B or The Sweet Truth Act, the legislation requires these restaurants to post warning icons on food or drink items containing more than 50 grams of added sugars.
The city saw a 356% rise during the first wave of COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, a New York City resident was already dying from diabetes-related causes every 90 minutes, making the new law a step forward in public health.
“If we give people the information, we think they will be able to make better decisions,” Powers said. “Maybe they’ll switch out an item, maybe they’ll change the exact order so it’s less sugary, maybe they’ll totally disregard getting that item anymore. It’s all about driving people towards better behavior.”