Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition Praises FDA Decision to Give Consumers More Information on Added Sugars
The Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition, a broad-based partnership of 20 organizations representing government, healthcare, education, business and others, strongly endorses the Food and Drug Administration’s proposal to give individuals and families more information about added sugars in their food and drinks.
The FDA announced today plans to add a percent daily value for added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label of packaged foods based on a federal advisory panel’s recommendations that added sugars should not exceed 10 percent of total calories each day — or about 12 teaspoons for the average adult.
Obesity and diabetes are major problems in Bexar County and San Antonio, and added sugars — especially sugary drinks — play a big role. A growing number of experts say that people should limit sugar and sugary drinks to prevent weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and other health risks.
“We formed the Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition to better inform the public about the health effects of sugar-sweetened beverages so that they could make better decisions for themselves and their families,” County Judge Nelson Wolff said. “The proposal by the FDA to provide even more information on the label of every can and bottle will be incredibly helpful in making those decisions each day.”
Bexar County Commissioners Court passed a resolution in February supporting a campaign to educate local residents about how much sugar they’re consuming in beverages, given the concerns about obesity and diabetes in South Texas. The Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition was formed in the wake of that resolution.
More information on sugar in beverages can be found at the Coalition’s website, www.sugar-packed.com, including an online calculator, educational materials, videos and posters in both Spanish and English.
Partners in the Bexar Healthy Beverage Coalition include the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Bexar County, Bexar County Medical Society, Bexar County School Board Coalition, Hollywood Park, The Health Collaborative, Interlex Communications, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, San Antonio Business Group on Health, San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, San Antonio Water System, Southside Independent School District, South Texas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, Tiny Roar Creative, University Health System, University of Texas Institute for Health Promotion Research, Witte Museum and YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
