Requires warning labels on energy beverages

1 Co-sponsor

• Vivian Cook

4 Multi-sponsors

• Joseph Errigo
• David McDonough
• Michael G. Miller
• Harvey Weisenberg

BILL NUMBER:A9754

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to requiring warning labels on energy beverages

Purpose or general idea of the bill

This bill addresses the concerns of health risks associated with energy beverages,

Summary of provisions

This bill amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 214-o to read as follows:

Section 214-o Warning labels on energy beverages.

1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of la to the contrary, if any person, firm, corporation, partnership, Limited Liability Company, association or any other business association sells or displays for retail sale any energy beverage, the packaging of such beverage shall bear a warning label as prescribed in this section which shall be print- ed thereon or attached thereto. Such warning label shall be in letters not less than eight point type and shall appear in a black box on the beverage, and shall contain 'the following statement: "WARNING" Exces- sive consumption of energy beverages could pose a serious health hazard."

2. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability compa- ny, or association, or its officers or agents who or which violate any of the provisions of this section or any rules or regulations promulgat- ed under this section shall be liable for a civil penalty of,one thou- sand dollars per each energy beverage which violates the provisions of this section.

3. The commissioner shall have the authority and power to prescribe by regulations the labeling of energy beverages in subdivision one of this section which are not sold by package or container.

4. For purpose of this. section energy beverage shall include but not be limited to a combination of some or all of the following ingredients: sugar, methylkanthines, caffeine, vitamin E, herbs, guarana, acai, taurine, ginseng, maltcdextrin, inositol, carnitine, creative, glucuro- nolactone and ginkgo biloba.

Justification

Excessive consumption of energy beverages can be hazard- ous to your health. The extra sugar and caffeine that is contained in most energy beverages can cause our heart rate to increase. This is one way in which we can achieve new founded energy. Yet, this increase heart rate is not good for our bodies. Since, it can cause serious health risks including heart attack, stroke and even heart disease. Many people drink these beverages without knowing the possible serious conse- quences. This legislation will mandate warning labels added to all ener- gy beverages.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined,

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Provided that the commissioner of agriculture and markets is authorized and directed to promulgate any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act before such effective date.