Quebec health groups want warning labels on sugary drinks

If a coalition of Quebec health groups has its way, soda cans will come with a warning that drinking them may lead to obesity, diabetes and cavities.

Weight Coalition, anassociation of health professionals, food providers and municipalities aimed at fighting obesity, is calling onthe Quebec government to make such warning labels law, just like it was done with cigarettes.

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The coalitionsays that sugary drinks contribute to the province'sobesity epidemic, and warning labels would turnparents away from buying these drinks for their children.

"It's time for the [Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]to assume its leadership in healthy nutrition and to inform in a clear and simple way what consumers are really drinking," Corinne Voyer, director ofWeight Coalition, said in a statement.

Weight Coalitioncites an American study published in this month's Pediatrics journal, which showed that warning labels improved parents' understandingof the health impacts of sugary drinks and caused them to buy less of them.

The group is also calling for a tax on sugary drinks, like sodas, fruit juices, sports drinks and energy drinks.

Similar taxes adopted in Mexico and France,the groupsays, helped finance public health initiatives and offer healthier alternatives inschools.

Government working group

A spokesperson for the Minister of Public Health says the government has no intention of taxing sugar or obliging companies to put warning labels on sugary drinks.

However,a working group is looking at the issues around healthy eating and is expected to report back in 2017.