The New York City Board of Health today approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban sugary drinks that come in sizes larger than 16 oz on a unanimous 9-0 vote. This was mildly surprising considering the national controversy that broke out in the wake of Bloomberg’s initial plan, but the New York City bureaucrats have never been receptive to public outcry.
The measure, unless blocked by a judge, will take effect in six months. The health board vote was the only regulatory approval needed to become binding in the city, but the American soft-drink industry has strongly opposed the plan and vowed this week to try to fight the measure by other means, possibly in the courts.
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The restrictions would not affect fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages; no-calorie diet sodas would not be affected, but establishments with self-service drink fountains, like many fast-food restaurants, would not be allowed to stock cups larger than 16 ounces.
Even for fellow food nannies, this is a bridge too far and too indiscriminate. One of the founders of Honest Tea, a beverage company that was recently sold to Coca-Cola, wrote (ironically?) for Bloomberg View:
Read more at Townhall
