Despite passing companion legislation for high-sodium warning labels, the State Legislature did not advance the Sweet Truth Act, a menu transparency measure for chain restaurant items high in added sugars; Sweet Truth Act is a crucial reform meant to arm New Yorkers with vital nutrition info about high-added sugar menu items, and help families make healthy dining choices
Albany lawmakers failed to pass the Sweet Truth Act (S427A/A5305A), legislation designed to strengthen menu transparency and help New Yorkers make more informed dining choices. The bill would have required warning icons on chain restaurant menu items containing more than the recommended daily limit for added sugars, providing consumers with clear, at-a-glance nutrition information at the point of purchase. Supporters argued the measure would increase nutrition transparency and help New Yorkers identify menu items high in added sugars. The Sodium Warning Bill (S428A/A5207A), a companion bill which mandates menu warning labels for high-sodium menu items, successfully passed both chambers and awaits final signature from Governor Hochul.
CSPI Campaign Manager Dr. DeAnna Nara issued the following statement in response:
“New Yorkers deserve clear information about the food they purchase and consume. While we are encouraged that the Sodium Warning Bill moved forward this session, the failure to pass the Sweet Truth Act leaves consumers without similar transparency for menu items high in added sugars. Added sugar consumption remains a significant public health concern, and many chain restaurant items contain an entire day’s recommended limit of added sugars in a single serving. The Sweet Truth Act would have provided straightforward, at-a-glance information to help consumers make informed choices when dining out. We commend Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for their leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing our work with lawmakers, health professionals, and community partners to advance this legislation in a future session.
BACKGROUND
Sweet Truth Act (S427/A5305): Empowers New Yorkers to make informed choices when dining out. The bill requires chain restaurants to display warning icons next to menu items that exceed the daily recommended added sugars limit, much like the City Council’s 2023 Sweet Truth Act and existing calorie counts, and seeks to protect New Yorkers from a number of diet-driven conditions, including rising rates of diabetes.
Why Sugar Reduction Matters:
- The Burden on New York Communities: In New York City, fast food restaurants are predominantly concentrated in communities of color, exposing children and families to high added sugar content.
- Excess Sugar in Diets: At fast food chains, menu items often come with more than a day’s worth of added sugars, making dining out a significant contributor to excessive sugar intake.
- Chronic Disease Risk: In New York, roughly 1 in 10 adults live with diabetes, while about 4.9 million adults report having hypertension, with 89% of those individuals relying on medication to manage the condition. Excessive sugar consumption increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death and disability in New York.
