The Maryland Retailers Association, Restaurant Association of Maryland, and the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association are urging city lawmakers to reject deeply flawed, anti-business legislation that would force grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants and other operations to post “warning labels” for lemonade, sweet teas and other popular soft drinks or face criminal penalties.

“At a time when Baltimore City is struggling to retain grocery stores and supermarkets this new mandate, which exists nowhere else in the nation, will have a chilling effect on attracting new merchants to the city,” said Cailey Locklair Tolle, president of the Maryland Retailers Association. “What proponents of this legislation cannot grasp is that the environment for retailers in the city is already fragile. It is shortsighted and takes the city in the wrong direction.”

Melvin Thompson, the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s senior vice president of government affairs and public policy, was equally critical saying: “We are concerned that this proposed legislation goes too far and will not only deter the formation of new businesses, such as restaurants, but send a negative message that will discourage people from eating, shopping and enjoying Baltimore City.”

“Forcing restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and vending machines to carry misleading and inaccurate warning signs about popular beverages such as lemonades, sweet teas, fruit juices, fruit drinks, sports drinks and soft drinks misses an opportunity to teach and lead with a right message – lifestyle choices matter; new government bans, restrictions or for that matter “warning labels” for lemonade don’t,” said Ellen Valentino, executive vice president, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Beverage Association. “The beverage industry has developed a number of real solutions that are having an impact and we are making sure there are dozens of options for everyone. Maryland beverage makers recognize that all calories count and are committed to helping consumers be more mindful of the beverage choices they make.”

The legislation is sponsored by Baltimore City Councilman Nick Mosby and Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner. It would require every food service facility, retail establishment, restaurant, vending machine, grocery store, shopping center and even stadiums -M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park included - that sell popular beverages like sweet teas and lemonade to post warning signs in their establishments.

The warning must be posted on restaurant menus, vending machines, and in any retail establishment where payments are made, according to the legislation.

Valentino said that proponents of the legislation refuse to accept the facts:

• Sales of soda have fallen for 11 consecutive years, while the Centers for Disease Control reports the obesity rate in the U.S. has climbed, showing there is no connection between the two.
• Calories in the America diet from added sugars in soda are down 39 percent since 2000, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• Regular soda sales dropped 12.5 percent from 1999 to 2012, the Beverage Digest Fact Book reports.
• Total soft drink calories in schools fell more than 90 percent from 2004 to 2010.