New York City’s “Sweet Truth Act” takes effect, marking a public health milestone

A New York City cab passing a McDonald's at night

Yang Plasticine - unsplash.com.

On October 4, New York City’s landmark “Sweet Truth Act” went into effect, requiring chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to post a clear warning icon next to menu items that contain more than an entire day’s worth of added sugars. This makes nutrition information more transparent and accessible, no matter where New Yorkers eat. 

Excess sugar intake, especially from sugary drinks like soda and other beverages with added sugars, is linked to several leading chronic health issues, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and can contribute to dental decay. In New York, heart disease remains the leading cause of death and diabetes a leading cause of premature death. If current trends continue, chronic disease will cost the state $2.2 trillion by 2030 — nearly $7,900 per resident. 

A screenshot of the Popeye's website menu for New York City locations showing calorie information and icons warning of high sodium and added sugar content for their Classic Chicken Sandwich Combo.
Popeyes.com.

The Sweet Truth Act gives New Yorkers the ability to see at a glance when menu items exceed safe limits — a policy that research shows can reduce consumption of high-sugar items and encourage companies to reformulate their products. 

A screenshot of the Popeye's website explaining the additional nutrition information, including warning icons that indicate high added sugar and sodium content, which is available for menu items for locations in New York City.
Popeyes.com.

“Consumers deserve transparency about what’s in their food and drinks,” said Dr. DeAnna Nara, licensed nutritionist and campaign manager at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “With the Sweet Truth Act now in effect, New Yorkers can make more informed choices for themselves and their families. But these protections shouldn’t stop at New York City — it’s time for statewide action to ensure everyone in New York has the same right to know.” 

At the state level, advocates are pressing for four complementary bills — to require added sugar warnings on chain restaurant menus, sodium warnings on chain restaurant menus, safety warning labels on high-sugar beverages (both on packaging and where they are sold or dispensed), and to restrict misleading marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products targeting children and other vulnerable groups. Together, these measures would give families across New York consistent, easy-to-understand information wherever they order food or drinks — while also protecting them from misleading marketing and helping create a fairer, more transparent food environment. 

“Faith communities, community-based organizations, and public health practitioners across New York came together to help pass the Sweet Truth Act because protecting health is a matter of justice and compassion,” said Bob Pezzolesi of the Interfaith Public Health Network. “This coalition is still at work, standing alongside public health partners to make sure every New Yorker — whether in the Bronx, Buffalo, or Binghamton — has the same protections and the same chance to safeguard their health.” 

The Sweet Truth Act is a major step forward for public health and a model for protecting families across the state, according to CSPI. 

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