Today, industry groups such as the American Beverage Association became relieved "when they learned New York City's ban on large-size soda drinks won't take effect as planned today after a state judge blocked the measure as improperly enacted and arbitrary in its effects," Bloomberg News reported.
The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg's plan to decrease the sizes that are currently sold at different restaurants, movie theaters stadiums and arenas has been declined. The plan was approved in September by The city's Board of Health; in October groups representing beverage companies, restaurants and theaters asked a state court to diminish the regulation calling it "unprecedented interference" with consumer choice, Bloomberg News reported.
New York Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling in Manhattan authorized the groups' request yesterday, creating a permanent injunction preventing the city from carrying out the plan.
Tingling wrote, "It is arbitrary and capricious because it applies to some but not all food establishments in the city, it excludes other beverages that have significantly higher concentrations of sugar sweeteners and/or calories on specific grounds and the loopholes inherent in the rule, including but not limited to no limitations on refills, defeat and/or serve to gut the purpose of the rule."
ABC News released a video showing businesses that were ready to handle the new policy. Dunkin' Donuts was going to give their customers the sugary syrup separately. They would be forced to put it in their drinks. Mayor Bloomberg prompted the health crusade; in one 16 oz class of soda there is 27 grams of sugar and in 51 oz there are 86 cubes of sugar. The judge believed this ruling was unfair because it would apply to restaurants but not local convenient stores. The judge also argued that certain coffees such as lattes contain more sugar than soda.
Bloomberg's plan to stop restaurants, theaters, stadiums and arenas from serving large cups of soda stemmed from his attempt to stop the obesity problem in the city. "I have to defend my children and you and everyone else I have to do what is right in order to save lives, obesity kills," said Mayor Bloomberg.
