Mayor Eric Adams passed the Sweet Truth Act in late 2023. (Jeff Bachner/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
"At some point I don't like to see the government coming in and saying you can only eat this, and you can’t eat that. But what I do like is adopting one of the foundational principles of modern medicine, which is informed consent."
Informed consent is the "process of communication between you and your health care provider that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services," according to the American Cancer Society.
Brecka said an explicit warning on food items with excessive sugar allows the consumer to make an informed decision to indulge or not.
The message next to individual items is to state, "Warning: indicates that the added sugar content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended limit of added sugar for a 2,000 calorie diet (50g). Eating too many added sugars can contribute to type 2 diabetes and weight gain."
WEIGHT-LOSS MEDICATIONS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE WITHOUT ‘NUTRITION THERAPY,’ EXPERT SAYS
"I like the fact that this legislation is designed to improve the choices that the consumer has," Brecka said. "It’s like a warning on a cigarette cart."
If restaurants fail to add warnings to their menus and menu boards, they are liable for a civil penalty of up to $200 per violation.
The rules for prepackaged food and drink items are to become operative on June 19, 2024. Other food items will require warnings beginning Dec. 1, 2024.
"I think the general populace is also unaware of the dangers of these types of foods," said Brecka.
The rule will impact major companies, including Starbucks, McDonald’s and Dunkin' Donuts, among others.
Fox News Digital reached out to each company for comment on how the Sweet Truth Act may impact business, but did not hear back.
HERE'S THE POLICY THAT DOOMS NEW YORK CITY TO BE MIGRANT CENTRAL
The U.S. consumes more sugar per capita on a daily basis than any other country, according to the World Population Review. (iStock)
These are just a few popular menu items on Starbucks, McDonald’s and Dunkin' Donuts menus and the breakdowns of sugar per unit.
The move to pass the Sweet Truth Act was brought to lawmakers in NYC as the city is in the thick of a nutrition and obesity crisis statewide, including the five boroughs.
"Processed foods, and highly refined carbohydrates and sugars, lead to overeating," Brecka said. "That’s why we have a pandemic of ultra processed food intake, and we have a pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes."
In 2023, approximately 1 in 3 adults in New York were reportedly obese, and the health crisis is most prevalent in the Bronx and lowest in Manhattan, according to the NY State Department of Health.
Gary Brecka recommends consuming sugars after dinner, so the body absorbs protein and healthy fats with dessert. (iStock)
In 2023, 34.5% of adults in the Bronx were reportedly obese. This number was up 2.1% from 2020.
During the same year, 17.2% of residents in Manhattan were reportedly obese, according to NY.gov.
This data was up slightly from 17.1% in 2020.
From 2016-2020, at least 34.40% of Black and non-Hispanic people in NY state were reportedly obese.
When comparing NYC Marcoscope and Community Health Survey data, obesity was highest in men aged 20 to 39 years old and women between 40 and 58 years old.
"We are the highest consumers of refined sugars in the world," Brecka said of the U.S. "The proof is crystal clear. The evidence is irrefutable."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Per capita, sugar consumption in the U.S. is 126.4 grams daily, and Germany is hard on the heels of America, consuming 102.9 grams of sugar daily, according to the World Population Review.
With the rule in place, Americans in NYC may learn to better balance their daily consumption of food and added sugars.
"We can shift our choices," said Brecka. "We don’t need to eliminate these foods by any means."
Gabriele Regalbuto is an SEO editor at Fox News Digital. Gabriele has a Journalism and Communications degree from West Virginia University. She has worked to produce content for newspapers, magazines, and digital platforms. At Fox, she has assisted in coverage of breaking news events including the 2024 presidential cycle, 2022 midterm elections, Queen Elizabeth II's death, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gary-brecka-obesity-sweet-truth-act-signed-eric-adams-we-addicted-sugar-makes-feel