New York City to require warning labels for sugary foods and drinks in chain restaurants

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Category: Health

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. prepackaged / ˌpri ˈpæk ɪdʒd / (adj.) – (of food) prepared and ready to be eaten or heated when bought
    Example:

    Prepackaged snacks are often high in salt and sugar, so it’s important to read the labels.


  2. over and over again / ˈoʊ vər ənd ˈoʊ vər əˈgɛn / (idiom) – repeatedly or many times
    Example:

    The professor reminds his students over and over again to submit their homework on time.


  3. vegan / ˈvi gən / (adj.) – not eating or consuming any animal product
    Example:

    Being vegan means avoiding not only meat but also eggs and dairy.


  4. foray / ˈfɔr eɪ / (n.) – an attempt to do something, such as an activity or job, for the first time
    Example:

    After years of working in the medical field, he decided to make a foray into the tech industry.


  5. nanny state / ˈnæn i steɪt / (idiom) – a government that tries to give a lot of regulations or laws to control the lives and choices of the people
    Example:

    Some citizens feel that the increased surveillance cameras in public areas are a sign of the country becoming a nanny state.


Article

Read the text below.

New York City residents may soon see warning labels next to sugary foods and drinks in chain restaurants and coffee shops, under a law set to go into effect later this year.


The rule requires food businesses with 15 storefronts or more to post a warning icon—a black and white spoon loaded with sugar—next to menu items containing at least 50 grams of added sugar.


Businesses will also have to post the following written label to accompany the logo: “Warning: indicates that the added sugar content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit of added sugar for a 2,000 calorie diet (50g). Eating too many added sugars can contribute to type 2 diabetes and weight gain.”


The city’s health department posted its proposed rule language and set a public hearing for late May. City officials and Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, approved the law last year. The rule is scheduled to go into effect June 19 for prepackaged food items and Dec. 1 for other items.


Asked about the policy in a 1010 WINS radio interview, Adams said, “We have an obligation and responsibility as a city, not only to react to the healthcare crisis but to be proactive to prevent some of the healthcare issues. Sugar is one of the leading causes of health-related items and issues and diseases.”


“I say over and over again in my personal journey of health, “Food is medicine,” said Adams, a self-styled healthy eater who has claimed to be vegan but admitted he sometimes eats fish. 


The incoming rule isn’t a New York City mayor’s first foray into public health policy. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg got artificial trans fat banned from chain restaurants and required chains to post calorie counts on menus. He also banned smoking indoors at restaurants and bars. Bill de Blasio, the mayor before Adams, pushed a rule to notify customers of high sodium in foods.


Critics of such regulations have long argued that officials are turning the city into a “nanny state.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Mayor Adams said that “food is medicine” while discussing his personal health journey. How do you think food can be medicine? Discuss.
  • In your country, what do people think of sugary foods and drinks? Do you think putting warning labels on the menu in restaurants is something the public would care about? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Critics have argued that government officials are turning the city into a “nanny state.” Do you want your country to be turned into a nanny state? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Are there concerns in your country that the actions of your government are leading to the development of a “nanny state?” What makes you say so? Discuss.