New York approves supersize drinks ban

Last updated: September 13, 2012 10:30 pm - Financial Times

New York approves supersize drinks ban

By Alan Rappeport in Washington

New York City took its battle against obesity further on Thursday, moving forward with a ban on sales of “supersized” sugary drinks that many in the beverage industry have called misguided.

The city’s board of health voted to approve a proposal announced in May by Michael Bloomberg, New York’s mayor. The decision, which was widely expected, means restaurants, theatres and stadiums will be unable to sell sugary drinks in portions bigger than 16 ounces (475ml).

Diet sodas or drinks containing milk will be exempt, and restaurants can still offer free refills.

Mr Bloomberg called the policy the “single biggest step any government has taken to curb obesity” on Thursday and said that the city would be a healthier place in six months when the rule takes effect.

The policy has won the backing of weight loss companies such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, but the soft drinks industry has hit out against the plan as an imposition on personal freedom. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are fearful that Mr Bloomberg’s plan will be adopted by other US cities, following the same path as New York’s regulations on menu labelling and smoking.

“This is not the end,” said Eliot Hoff, spokesman for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices. “We are exploring legal options and all other avenues available to us.”

New York’s restaurant and theatre associations have also come out against the rule, arguing that it will cut into their sales at a time when small businesses are under pressure.

Mr Bloomberg has argued that those concerns are outweighed by the costs of obesity, which lead to the deaths of 6,000 city residents each year.

People given beverages 50 per cent larger consume 20-33 per cent more,” he said. “Portion size drives consumption.”