Federal Court Denies Soda Industry’s Motion to Stop San Francisco’s Warning Labels on Soda Ads

Statement of CSPI President Michael F. Jacobson

May 17, 2016

Judge Edward Chen’s ringing knock-down of Big Soda’s efforts to derail San Francisco’s requirement for a health warning on sugar drink advertisements is a major step forward in public health efforts to combat diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and other soda-related diseases.

With precise attention to legal precedent and close reading of the scientific evidence, the judge makes clear that states, cities, and counties across the country can exercise a basic tool of public health: providing consumers information on health risks.

We hope that public health and legislative bodies everywhere take note of this ruling and take swift action to protect their citizens’ health.