Soda / Water

Policy Contact:

Stefan Harvey [Soda Campaign]: Assistant Director, California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA)
sh@publichealthadvocacy.org
(530) 297-6000
www.publichealthadvocacy.org

Kumar Chandran [Water Campaign]: Nutrition Policy Advocate, CA Food Policy Advocates
kumar@cfpa.net
510-433-1122, x129
www.cfpa.net

Policy Focus:

Decrease consumption of soda/sugar-sweetened beverages
Improve access and consumption of free, fresh drinking water
Change beverage environments in schools and childcare facilities
Secure sustainable funding stream for childhood obesity

Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption has been tied to California’s diabetes and obesity epidemic; and 62% of California adolescents drink at least one soda a day; 40 percent of school districts reported no access to free drinking water during meals.

The campaign pursues programs and state/local policies to change the beverage environment. Four bills comprise state policy work: SB 1210 (Florez), tax on sweetened beverages to support obesity prevention; SB 1255 (Padilla), ban on electrolyte beverages in schools; SB 1413 (Leno), requires that schools provide free drinking water in food service areas; and AB 2084 (Brownley), nutrition standards for beverages in licensed child day care facilities.

Current Legislation For Action

SB 1210 (Florez) - revenue/funding ax on sweetened beverages to support obesity prevention
SB 1255 (Padilla) - ban on electrolye beverages in schools
SB 1413 (Leno) - requires that schools provide free drinking water in food service areas
AB 2084 (Brownley) - nutrition standards for healthy beverages in licensed child day care facilities