Greg Hrinya, Associate Editor01.07.16
A report in the Los Angeles Times states that the head of a fitness group is calling for new labeling on soft drinks. Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, believes the labels of all sugary drinks should have warnings similar to those found on cigarettes. As part of the training regimen, Glassman has long been an advocate of “Eat No Sugar.”
Glassman’s goal is to reduce the numbers of cases involving diabetes and obesity. He is actively supporting the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Safety Warning Act, which was sponsored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel). A proposed warning would read: “Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."
A vote on the legislature is slated for January 13, after it failed to pass last year. A Field Poll, however, showed that 74% of voters were in favor of some sort of warning label on soda cans, bottles and vending machines.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “[Glassman] has joined forces with Harold Goldstein, the anti-soda activist and founder of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. And he's also hired lobbyists, and launched a website called CrushBigSoda.com, all in a bid to convince vote abstainers to change their minds.”
"Every day in the gym, we fight chronic disease, but the debilitating effects of sugar are overpowering," Glassman said. "For the rest of my life, I'll be a one-issue guy.... It's reducing sugar consumption."
Changes have already been proposed for food labels, including the addition of added sugar. The list of potential alterations could necessitate an overhaul of food and beverage labels, making converters quite busy in the future.
Glassman’s goal is to reduce the numbers of cases involving diabetes and obesity. He is actively supporting the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Safety Warning Act, which was sponsored by Senator Bill Monning (D-Carmel). A proposed warning would read: “Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay."
A vote on the legislature is slated for January 13, after it failed to pass last year. A Field Poll, however, showed that 74% of voters were in favor of some sort of warning label on soda cans, bottles and vending machines.
According to the Los Angeles Times, “[Glassman] has joined forces with Harold Goldstein, the anti-soda activist and founder of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. And he's also hired lobbyists, and launched a website called CrushBigSoda.com, all in a bid to convince vote abstainers to change their minds.”
"Every day in the gym, we fight chronic disease, but the debilitating effects of sugar are overpowering," Glassman said. "For the rest of my life, I'll be a one-issue guy.... It's reducing sugar consumption."
Changes have already been proposed for food labels, including the addition of added sugar. The list of potential alterations could necessitate an overhaul of food and beverage labels, making converters quite busy in the future.