New York City Fights Obesity by Banning Large Serving of Sodas

In September 2012, New York City launched an initiative banning large serving of sodas in movie houses, restaurants and other food concessionaires. The implementation of the law was supposed to start on Monday, March 11. However, there has been some legal questions, and a temporary restraining order has been enforced which moved the start of the implementation date to June.

Health Concerns for New York City

The ban started with a serious concern for the people’s health. Studies have shown that more than half of New Yorkers are overweight or obese. Among eighth-graders in the city’s public schools, 40% are overweight or obese. A separate study shows that the current American caloric intake is higher by 278 calories compared to the 1970s. Another study pointed out that 43% of the added sugar in the average American diet came from sugary drinks. Binding the math is the 40-calorie difference between a 20-oz and a 16-oz serving of soda. In a year, the 40 calorie difference adds up to 14,600 calories, equivalent to a weight gain of about 4 lbs.

The rest of the country is awaiting news of the effectiveness of this measure in fighting obesity. If it works, other cities might follow suit. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has history on his side. In 2002, he successfully lobbied the banning of tobacco smoking inside buildings within the city of New York. The success of his initiative has been copied in cities across the United States as well as the world over.

There have been other steps which Mayor Bloomberg has taken, including the ban on transfat in the city’s restaurants, as well as requiring fast food restaurants to include the calorie count in their menus. The soda serving size is just the latest in his fight for New York’s good health.

New York City: A Question of Implementation

The implementation of the new law banning large serving of sodas has been put on hold with a temporary restraining order. This came from a legal challenge by the soft drink industry and some New York City restaurants and business groups contending that the city council did not have the authority to pass such a law. In short, the soft drinks companies are saying that the law banning large serving of sodas is illegal. Until the ruling comes out, or until the restraining order expires in June, it is still legal to sell 20-oz servings of sodas and other sugary drinks.

Some citizens are not too concerned. For a larger serving, they can go to the nearest 7-Eleven, or to New Jersey to have their fill. 7-Eleven is state regulated and is not covered by the New York City law. Alternatively, they can order two 16-oz drinks in lieu of the 20-oz serving. If a person really wants a large soda, then he can find a way to have one.

New York City Will Wait Until June

From the time the law was signed until the start of implementation, the city was supposed to allow vendors, concessionaires, hot dog stands, and restaurants to use up their inventory of 20-oz tumblers, paper cups and other containers. The time allowance also allowed for some re-training for the staff, as well as time to come up with new menus for some restaurants. In the meantime, all is well. Restaurants and concessionaires are waiting for the results of the legal challenge. At the same time, the rest of the country is also looking at the possibilities that this landmark New York City law offers. If the challenge prospers, Mayor Bloomberg might have to come up with something else to force New Yorkers to consume less sugar.