NYC menus could get high sugar warnings

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - New York City chain restaurants are already required to indicate high salt levels. Soon they could be required to warn customers about high sugar content in menu items.

A bill introduced on Wednesday would require warning notices next to menu items and on signs for items that contain over 12 grams of added sugar.

Council Member Mark Levine is behind the legislation.  He says that the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene would be required to craft an added sugar icon and a warning statement on the consequences of consuming added sugars.  The symbol would then be added to restaurant menus and signs.

Some independent studies claim that some fast food meals contain more than two days worth of sugar.  For example, an apple pecan chicken salad from Wendy's has 40 grams of sugar.  The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men.

The bill would cover "added sugar", meaning sugars and syrups put into foods during preparation or processing.

The proposed bill would impose fines from $200-$2,500 on restaurants that violate the proposed law.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Health for consideration.  Levine is the chair of that committee.