MARCH 22, 2014

NR # 3413B

Bill to require restaurants and food chains to sell bottled water

Bottled water will soon be sold in restaurants and fast food chains under a bill expressing concern over the negative effect of soft drinks and juices on peoples health. Rep. Lorna Velasco (Part list! "#"$! author of %ouse Bill &'('! said the bill will re)uire food establish*ents to include in their *enu and *ake available to their custo*ers purified! *ineral and distilled bottled water. "t present! Velasco said *an restaurants and fast food chains do not serve or offer bottled water to their custo*ers. +,his is unfortunate because a si-eable sector of the population suffer fro* various diseases. Beverages which are co**on in ever food establish*ent are *ore har*ful to their health!. Velasco said. Velasco said the absence of bottled water in restaurants or food chains force the custo*ers to drink sodas or juices! which are detri*ental to their health. /iting scientific studies! Velasco said consu*ption of sodas! juices and other carbonated drinks are the *ain cause of heart ail*ents and diabetes. +0ugars! sweeteners and other ingredients used in *aking these beverages cause obesit ! kidne stones! chronic kidne conditions! h pertension! i*paired digestion and liver diseases!. Velasco said. Velasco said the asparta*e! which is being used as a substitute sugar for diet sodas! is *ore har*ful to the bod . +"sparta*e has been linked to al*ost a hundred different health proble*s including sei-ures! *ultiple sclerosis! brain tu*ors! diabetes. 1iet sodas also increase the risk of *etabolic s ndro*e which causes bell fat! high blood sugar and cholesterol!. Velasco said. (&2$ mrs