New York Ban on Sugar Sweetened Beverages

Obesity is a huge problem and a lot of blame is on the larger and larger portion sizes we are seeing in restaurants each year.  The mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg, has seen this issue and knows how big of a concern it is to New Yorkers and the rising health care costs.  People consume these larger beverages and food items without any consideration of the extra calories they are consuming.  If people consumer smaller portions, they will consume less calories and in the long run be happier and healthier. In 2012, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, put a ban on sugar sweetened beverages of 16 ounces or more.  The restriction was for both fountain and bottled drinks, including: soda, sweetened coffee drinks/teas, juice drinks, and sports drinks such as Gatorade. The ban affected restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues, coffee shops, pizza shops, delis, food trucks and street carts throughout New York City.  Items that are not included under this restrictions include pure fruit juice-based drinks, diet drinks, alcoholic beverages, customer-made drinks like coffee, and drinks mixed with half-milk.  Customers at restaurants are still allowed to get as many refills as they want but this is their decision.  Although, on March 11,2013 the Supreme Court struck down this ban,  I believe this is a huge and great start to controlling the obesity crisis in America. 

References: 

Mike bloomberg: Combating obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mikebloomberg.com/index.cfm?objectid=B7EE3B90-C29C-7CA2-FE35C0860A2075BD 

New yorkers for beverage choices. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://nycbeveragechoices.com/