San Francisco Mayor Proposes Tax on Sugary Drinks

by Rob Walker | December 18, 2007 at 10:39 am | 808 views | 12 comments

This isn't really such a horrible idea. Considering the amount of health care money going into treating obesity in North America, I think it's time we take a good hard look at what's causing these issues. Corn syrup, of course!

For years, the idea of taxing soda to beat back obesity has been tossed around in medical circles. But now, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is proposing a tax on beverages high in fructose corn syrup.

Newsom says obesity accounts for tens of millions of dollars in city health care costs. He cites a recent San Francisco Health Department survey that found nearly a quarter of the city's 5th, 7th and 9th graders were overweight and that high sugar drinks make up a tenth of a kid's daily calorie count.

Newsom reportedly wants all big box retailers and chain drug stores to pay into his new "Shape up San Francisco" program, which started this past summer with a walking regimen.

This comes as the state of California is considering slapping caffeine-infused sodas, and energy drinks with warning labels, saying consumption can contribute to diabetes.

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crimesagainstlogic

at 11:33 on December 18th, 2007

In Canada, they use real sugar because corn syrup isn't subsidized.

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anyjazz65

at 11:37 on December 18th, 2007

Here arranged for your convenience, are colorful components designed to enhance your enjoyment of life and perhaps to help shorten it significantly.

anyjazz65 has contributed a photo to this story.

sukimeanstrouble

at 12:04 on December 18th, 2007

side note: boylan's has always used only cane sugar, not high fructose corn syrup, which is one reason i love it.

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nikkiprice

at 12:20 on December 18th, 2007

In New Zealand, I tried really hard to find just one thing with high fructose corn syrup in it. And that's just what I found, one product, imported from, you guessed it, the good ol' u.s. of a.

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outragousart

at 12:56 on December 18th, 2007

good stuff:

Rob Walker, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I think it is great to work on beating obesity, it contributes to so many other health problems. Maybe they should also add more tax to Miller beer, a product that leads to obesity, alcoholism, drunken drivers, and O YES! sponsors the disgusting public homosexual orgies in the streets they like to call street fairs. San Francisco and Mayor Gavin regularly break the laws that the rest of America has to follow. San Francisco, nor California represent what America is about.

coneybeare

at 13:52 on December 18th, 2007

It is possible to make soda without high-fructose corn syrup!

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coneybeare

at 13:52 on December 18th, 2007

It is possible to make soda without high-fructose corn syrup!

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cynthia yoo

at 18:03 on December 18th, 2007

ugh...i love sugar! with caffeine? even better! how else can one survive the winters in this city!

outragousart

at 19:44 on December 18th, 2007

Sugar...corn syrup...who cares? Fructose is a naturally occuring sugar, it is much easier to digest than white, bleached granulated sugar. Both should be used in moderation. The issue is not what type of sweetener is used, but weather or not anyone should dictate (or tax) what others choose. It is a typical California thing.

misternaxal

at 20:04 on December 18th, 2007

Mmmm, mmmm, high fructose corn syrup AND sugar.

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Buck_Bucket

at 13:47 on December 19th, 2007

Has anyone else been following the comments this corn syrup issue is generating on the San Francisco Chronicle?

mycophile

at 01:05 on December 20th, 2007

It's false advertising; I don't know any grandmothers who add high fructose corn syrup to their marmalade, and yet the package advertises it as the "old fashioned recipe." I can't wait until "recipes" like this are considered old fashioned!

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