NYAM Presents Key Public Testimony on the Proposal to Ban the Sale of Large Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Testimony for the Meeting of the NYC Board of Health
on the Proposal to Ban the Sale of Large Sugar Sweetened Beverages
Public Meeting – July 24, 2012

The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) has been advancing the health of people in cities since 1847. An independent organization, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to research, education, community engagement, and policy leadership. Our current priorities include creating environments that support healthy aging; strengthening systems that prevent disease and promote the public’s health; and working to eliminate health disparities.

We appreciate the opportunity to share our views on the proposed plan to limit sales of sugar-sweetened beverages to 16 oz serving sizes. Our archives indicate NYAM has had the opportunity to comment on the health and safety of beverages purveyed in New York dating back to our start in 1847, when water quality and the safety of milk sold in the City were at issue. The crisis before us today is an epidemic of preventable, diet-related diseases, which the City has been addressing through multiple strategies, including strong attention to the role of sugary beverages. We would like to share the following observations with the members of the Public Health Board about the portion cap proposal and the City’s approach to obesity prevention.

First, we believe it is clear that the New York City food environment requires transformation. Diet-related chronic diseases are pervasive, with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity causing needless suffering at alarming rates across our neighborhoods, and particularly among lower-income populations and communities of color.  The unhealthy foods that contribute to these conditions—such as foods with excessive quantities of sodium, fat, and calories—are abundant and ubiquitous. Contrary to industry claims, consumers are in no imminent threat of diminished freedom of choice. The American Beverage Association, for example, boasts that consumers have more soft drink options available than ever before, and the Coca-Cola Company alone has a selection of more than 3,500 beverages available for sale.  New Yorkers do not suffer from a lack of options.

Along with an overwhelming array of food choices, there is an overwhelming amount of information in the public sphere about what to eat, and what not to eat. 76% of consumers say they don’t know what to believe when it comes to nutrition information.  In such a confusing environment, it seems particularly dangerous that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color that have high rates of disease are also burdened with disproportionate exposure to ads encouraging consumption of unhealthy foods. 

Our environment presents a toxic mix, particularly for low-income families pressured to get the most value for their dollar. With the portion cap proposal, Mayor Bloomberg clearly communicates a scientifically-based message: sugary beverages are harmful in large quantities. The purported economic value of “Super-value,” large portion sizes has in fact a real cost to health. There is substantial evidence that larger portion sizes, particularly in liquid form, lead to increased daily caloric intake.  As Dr. Kelly Brownell has recently argued, it would be irresponsible for our leadership to continue to observe the toll sugary beverages take on the public’s health and not take action. Government should intervene when there are products for sale (be they cars, or adjustable rate mortgages, or foods) that cause harm to the consumer. 

The cap appears to be a justifiable public policy intervention. But will the proposal impact our City’s epidemic of chronic disease? While studies of the price elasticity of sugary beverages indicate that a properly-structured tax could curb the purchase and likely consumption of sugary beverages,  we know less about how the portion cap proposal will impact consumption and obesity. Very few studies have been done on the impact of this type of intervention.  Decision-makers concerned about the toll sugary beverages impose on New Yorkers should revisit the soda tax proposal.  In the interim, the portion cap seems like a reasonable approach with minimal likely negative impacts, though its effects should be measured.

NYAM also urges the Board to encourage the Department of Health to broaden the scope of its obesity-prevention work by developing stronger partnerships with community organizations, and in particular with food security advocates. These groups know well the dietary challenges faced by the 1.4 million food-insecure New Yorkers who confront the most barriers to making healthy choices. Poverty is a particularly important factor in obesity among very young children. These children are then set on a course that includes a lifetime of health-related challenges. New York’s food stamp enrollment efforts and other food programs need additional attention and resources, and New York’s obesity prevention strategy needs the direct input of this community. 

In sum, NYAM both supports the Mayor’s proposal and encourages further action. We ask you, our colleagues in public health, and the community at large to continue to advise the DOH and the Mayor in transforming New York’s food environment toward one that is more supportive of healthy choices for all.

 Print   Subscribe

Posted on July 24, 2012

Contact:
Andrew J. Martin
Director of Communications
The New York Academy of Medicine
1216 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10029
212-822-7285
amartin@nyam.org

More NYAM News Articles