Shanghai Takes the Lead in Curbing Sugary Beverage Consumption with Innovative Health Warning Labels

Shanghai, China - October 19, 2023 - Shanghai has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the rising health risks associated with excessive sugary beverage consumption. On September 27, 2023, the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission unveiled the Guidelines for the Making and Placement of Health Warning Labels for Sugary Beverages (Consultation Draft). The primary objective of this pioneering project is to heighten public awareness about the adverse effects of sugary drinks and encourage healthier lifestyle choices. Members of the public are invited to submit their opinions on this draft before October 31, which can be done via email at shspc@wsjkw.sh.gov.cn.

Shanghai has become the first city in China to pilot the health warning labels of sugary beverages.

Key Points of the Draft

1. Defining Sugary Beverages

As per the 2022 Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents, sugary beverages are classified as those artificially infused with sugar during production and containing sugar content exceeding 5%.

2. Innovative Label Designs

The proposed health warning labels feature a distinctive three-dimensional cylindrical shape, resembling a beverage can. They are adorned with clear symbols, text, and illustrative imagery against distinct colored backgrounds. The red label cautions consumers to "Limit or eliminate sugary beverages" while highlighting the associated risks of dental problems and excessive weight gain. The orange label conveys, "The Chinese Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming less than 25 grams of sugar per day." The green label encourages consumers to review the nutritional composition table. While the labels do not directly display the sugar content, they guide consumers toward healthier choices.

3. Application Scenarios and Requirements

The health warning labels will be applied in both offline and online sales venues, rather than directly on the beverage containers themselves. Offline locations encompass the sale points for prepackaged and freshly prepared sugary beverages.

(1) Offline Sales Venues

Retail outlets selling prepackaged sugary beverages, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and vending machines, are required to exhibit all three varieties of health warning labels. Large and medium-sized supermarkets should employ large labels for sugary beverage sections and open freezers. Convenience stores and restaurants will utilize medium-sized labels, while refrigerators and vending machines will display smaller labels.

Venues serving freshly made sugary beverages, such as milk tea shops, coffee shops, and restaurants, will feature both red and orange health warning labels on order counters and dispensing machines. Medium-sized labels will be used for milk tea shops, coffee shops, and restaurants, while automatic dispensers will display small-sized labels.

(2) Online Sales Venues

Online venues will adopt electronic signage displaying the three sugary beverage health warning labels prominently on their digital menus.

The labeling of beverage grading in China

Domestic and International Context

In August, the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a pilot program introducing health reminder labels for sugary beverages, showcasing the "red, orange, and green" labels in supermarkets. This initiative yielded alarming results, as random inspections in ten supermarkets and convenience stores revealed that nearly 70% of beverages exceeded recommended sugar content levels. These findings underscore the urgency of addressing the issue of excessive sugary beverage consumption in China.

Numerous countries have instituted regulations regarding beverage grading. For instance, Singapore has implemented a four-tier nutritional grading system for bottled beverages since the previous year, with grades A, B, C, and D signifying decreasing healthiness levels. Singapore has also banned advertising for D-grade beverages, considered the "least healthy." Starting in December 2023, freshly made beverages in specific Singapore locations will also require nutritional grading labels. This move aims to combat the high prevalence of diabetes in the population.

The labeling of beverage grading in Singapore

Singapore's beverage grading system falls under Front-of-Pack (FOP) labeling, which China currently lacks mandatory regulations for. For more details, please refer to Front-of-Pack (FOP) Nutrition Labeling on Food Products in the Asia Pacific.

Impact and Significance of the Pilot Project

The pilot project and the public opinion solicitation for the draft have drawn significant attention to the risks associated with sugary beverages. Many voices have commended Shanghai's pioneering efforts and the role of health warning labels. There are growing calls to mitigate the harm of sugary beverages at the source, urging manufacturers and businesses to produce and promote sugar-free and reduced-sugar alternatives.

If the pilot project proves successful, it may pave the way for nationwide implementation. China may even consider adopting Singapore's practice of printing beverage grading labels directly on product packaging. This initiative underscores the government's endorsement of low-sugar beverage consumption, which can guide product development for businesses.