Soft drink labels criticized after woman dies from excessive consumption

Comprehensive and informative food labels and drink labels are necessary for consumers and production companies alike. Not only do customers deserve to know what is in the products they eat and drink, businesses benefit from taking necessary safety precautions by properly advertising their items.

While energy drinks have been under recent scrutiny for alleged health hazards from overuse, sodas are now facing similar criticisms. According to the Huffington Post, a New Zealand coroner is recommending that warning labels be placed on soft drinks, ensuring that customers are aware of recommended dosages.

After concluding that 31-year-old Naomi Harris died in 2010 from health complications due to her excessive consumption of Coca-Cola, David Crerar said in his report that he is not holding the company responsible for the woman’s death, but specified that the public needs to be educated on the risks from too many sugary, caffeinated beverages.

Crerar estimated that Harris’ daily consumption of Coca-Cola was more than two gallons every day. Specifically, that is nearly double the amount considered healthy, he said.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff told the Huffington Post that while health warnings have had a positive impact on cigarette usage, simple health labels for soda might not be enough.

“With warning labels the only intervention, I doubt we’d see huge change,” Freedhoff said in an email to the news source. “Couple warning labels with taxes on added sugars, public health campaigns explaining the risks inherent to their consumptions, limits on cups sizes … and inclusion of added sugars as risky to school curricula, and I’d bet we’d see a big difference.”

In order to design custom labels that adhere to any federal nutritional standards, companies should invest in professional color label printers. That way, their message is clear and professional in appearance.