NYC rule will slap sugar warning labels on food, drinks including Starbucks, Dunkin specialties
Oh, sweet — the ‘nanny state’ is back!Fast-food chains and coffee shops in New York City would have to slap a warning on menu boards and packaging under a new rule from the Adams administration.The city Health Department’s first-in-the-nation edict will mean labels warning on food and drinks with more than 50 grams of added sugar, including frozen coffee drinks from places like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, fountain sodas and even hot chocolate.Food outlets with 15 or more stores in the US are ordered to use a warning icon — a spoon loaded with heaps of sugar — to alert and maybe shame sweet-toothed customers.The proposed warning will say, “Eating too many added sugars can contribute to type 2 diabetes and weight gain.”“Type 2 diabetes is among the leading causes of premature deaths in New York City,” the Health Department said.US Dietary guidelines recommend that added sugar should be less than 50 grams or 10% of the recommended 2,000-calorie-a-day intake.A medium Coca-Cola drink at McDonald’s contains 56 grams of sugar and would require a warning label, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.Numerous frozen coffee and other drinks at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks contain more than 50 grams of added sugar — such as Dunkin’s Butter Pecan and Caramel Swirl frozen coffee, which are pumped up with more than 100 grams of sugar.The health cops have drafted the new rules to enforce the Sweet Truth Act approved by Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council last year.Restaurants that ignore the law face fines of $200 to $500 per violation.The department is accepting public comment on the new rule, which is expected to go into effect on June 19 for prepackaged food times and Dec.1 for beverages and food sold at the restaurant that is not packaged.Critics blasted the rule as another example of government overreach.“It’s the nanny state becoming the nanny city,” said state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar.
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