New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a municipal ban on all large-sized sugary beverages. Restaurants, movie theaters, mobile food carts and delis are all included.
Sugary drinks are defined as beverages that are "sweetened with sugar or another caloric sweetener that contain more than 25 calories per 8 fluid ounces and contains less than 51% milk or milk substitute by volume as an ingredient."
It would impact drinks sold in containers larger than 16 ounces, but would not impact the sale of diet soda or dairy based drinks.
The proposal is aimed at fighting the epidemic of obesity. It cites public health statistics stating that 58% of New York City adults and nearly 40% of city public school students are obese or overweight. The proposal must be approved by the city's Board of Health. It will be submitted to the board on June 12.
A spokesperson for the New York City Beverage Association challenged Bloomberg's assertion that the consumption of soda is driving obesity rates.
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