Big Apple bids to take the fizz out of sugary drinks
Source: Agencies |
July 25, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NEW York faced the next step in a bitter battle over sugary drinks yesterday, with the soft drink and restaurant industries protesting the mayor's proposed ban and the public lining up to have its say.
A public hearing was set for yesterday afternoon over Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sugary drinks served at restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries. The Board of Health is scheduled to vote on the measure on September 13.
Since the ban was proposed in May, opponents have accused the mayor of trying to institute a "nanny state" with far-reaching government controls that infringe on individual choice. City officials argue they are trying to save lives in the face of an obesity epidemic that is killing New Yorkers and costing US$4 billion a year.
"This year an estimated 5,800 New Yorkers will die because they are obese or overweight," Bloomberg said on Monday.
But more than 100 people gathered on the steps of City Hall to protest, many wearing T-shirts that read, "I picked out my beverage all by myself."
The protesters called on the administration to target obesity by improving access to physical education and better educating the public. They argued that the proposed ban will do little to curb weight gain.
In a letter released on Monday by The New England Journal of Medicine, New York University researchers said the ban could affect nearly two-thirds of drinks bought at the city's fast-food restaurants, according to a survey of more than 1,600.
The rule would apply to sugary drinks larger than 450 grams. Drinks that are more than half milk or 70 percent juice would be exempt, as would diet sodas.
The proposal would apply only to food carts and to establishments regulated by the city's Health Department, including restaurants, sports arenas and movie theaters. Grocery stores, drug stores and some convenience stores are regulated by the state and would be unaffected.
A public hearing was set for yesterday afternoon over Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sugary drinks served at restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries. The Board of Health is scheduled to vote on the measure on September 13.
Since the ban was proposed in May, opponents have accused the mayor of trying to institute a "nanny state" with far-reaching government controls that infringe on individual choice. City officials argue they are trying to save lives in the face of an obesity epidemic that is killing New Yorkers and costing US$4 billion a year.
"This year an estimated 5,800 New Yorkers will die because they are obese or overweight," Bloomberg said on Monday.
But more than 100 people gathered on the steps of City Hall to protest, many wearing T-shirts that read, "I picked out my beverage all by myself."
The protesters called on the administration to target obesity by improving access to physical education and better educating the public. They argued that the proposed ban will do little to curb weight gain.
In a letter released on Monday by The New England Journal of Medicine, New York University researchers said the ban could affect nearly two-thirds of drinks bought at the city's fast-food restaurants, according to a survey of more than 1,600.
The rule would apply to sugary drinks larger than 450 grams. Drinks that are more than half milk or 70 percent juice would be exempt, as would diet sodas.
The proposal would apply only to food carts and to establishments regulated by the city's Health Department, including restaurants, sports arenas and movie theaters. Grocery stores, drug stores and some convenience stores are regulated by the state and would be unaffected.
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