New York bans super-sized, sugary drinks

NEW YORK — New York City’s board of health opened up a new, experimental front in the war on obesity Thursday, passing a rule banning sales of big sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries.

The regulation, proposed in the spring by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and approved by panel of health experts after several months of review, puts a 475-millilitre limit on cups and bottles of non-diet soda, sweetened teas and other calorie-packed beverages.

The ban will apply in fastfood joints, movie houses and Broadway theatres, workplace cafeterias and most other places selling prepared food. It doesn’t cover beverages sold in supermarkets or most convenience stores.

The restaurant and beverage industries have assailed the plan as misguided. They say the city’s health experts are exaggerating the role sugary beverages have played in making U.S. residents fat.

Some New Yorkers have also ridiculed the rule as a gross government intrusion.

The unprecedented regulation would follow other ambitious health moves on Bloomberg’s watch.

Some have proven to be national pacesetters, such as making chain restaurants post calorie counts prominently on their menus. New York City also has barred artificial trans fats from restaurant food and taken aggressive steps to discourage smoking.