Overview

• The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for initial approval, with a final vote scheduled for Oct. 7 and a potential November start if adopted.
• The measure would apply to checkout areas and within 3 feet of registers in retail food stores over 2,000 square feet in unincorporated areas, affecting roughly 40–42 locations.
• Permitted items must meet set thresholds of no more than 5 grams of added sugar and 200 milligrams of sodium per serving, with beverages requiring no added sugar or artificial sweeteners and gums or mints without added sugars.
• Implementation would begin with a penalty-free, education-first year before possible enforcement and fines in subsequent years.
• Advocates point to local obesity and diabetes rates and Berkeley’s 2021 model, while a convenience-store trade group warns the rules could be unworkable even as supervisors note most small stores fall below the size threshold.