On May 27, 2020, Jennifer Falbe, who evaluated the effectiveness of the nation’s first “soda tax” in Berkeley, joined California Assembly Member Richard Bloom, who has sponsored similar statewide legislation, discussed the marketing and addictive nature of sugar-sweetened beverages, the health risks associated with their consumption, and the story of California’s fight against Big Soda.
"Sugary drinks are the number one source of added sugar in our diets, and consuming just 1-2 sugary drinks per day increases risk of type two diabetes by 26%."
— Jennifer Falbe, Assistant Professor, UC Davis Department of Human Ecology
"The soda industry has for many years employed the very tactics that were used by the tobacco industry. They deliberately target children and communities of color. They tell us that their products are safe and hire their own scientists to support their points of view. They rebrand highly sugary drinks by selling them in smaller cans or calling them 'sports drinks.' And they have launched campaigns of misinformation to stop any efforts to address this issue."
— Richard Bloom, California State Assembly Member