Soda Warning Labels: Experts Say it Can Deter Buying of Sugary Drinks

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Can putting a warning on soda or sugary beverages encourage consumers not to buy the drink? Similar to warning labels on cigarettes, this move could actually work, according to experts.

Researchers who published their study on soda drinks in the journal Pediatrics took data from a survey conducted among 2,381 parents who answered questions about their beverage buying habits. They were asked to fill out 20 questions and they were showed images of sugary beverages. Some came with a health warning label that stated, "Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay." The texts were taken from a proposed California bill on sugar-sweetened drinks.

The researchers learned that 53 percent of the parents didn't choose the drinks that had the warning texts compared to the 40 percent who still picked out the sodas. There was also another group who were presented with beverage photos that had no warning labels, but only the calorie content. Sixty percent of the parents from this group chose mostly sugary drinks.

"The warning labels seem to help in a way that the calorie labels do not," said lead study author Christina Roberto via Health Day. "[Health warning labels] provide an extra layer of information that people can understand," said co-study author David Hammond via CNN.

The researchers stressed that most sodas and sugary drinks contain about seven teaspoons of sugar per 6.5-ounce serving and this amount is more than double the recommended intake for children. The parents, who were surveyed, had kids between six to 11-years old. The research comes as the newly-released 2016 U.S. Dietary Guidelines suggested cutting down sugar intake, as previously reported on Latinos Health.

Meanwhile, apart from the California initiative on putting warning labels, New York's local government is also taking this into consideration, per the CNN report. "This study suggests labels may have the intended effect to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, and may also give policy makers the impetus to pass these bills," Hammond told CNN. About 73 percent of the study's participants stated they would support a government policy on sugar warning labels should it take effect.

However, dietitian Lona Sandon said that more action should be taken apart from putting warning labels. "It appears some will take the information to heart, but about 40 percent still chose sugary beverages in the study. That is still a big number," she said via Health Day. Sandon suggested parents have to be "educated and influenced" further so that they will be able to make better choices for their children's health.