N.Y. beverage ban is an ill-advised move

The notion of freedom of choice is essentially American. We choose our elected officials with votes and in our economic system, we vote with our dollars. But what happens when our voice and our choice become limited? Two recent stories about issues affecting our restaurant industry made headlines. One infringes on freedom of choice by telling guests what they can and can’t buy. The other promotes choice by equipping diners to make informed decisions.

A beverage ban approved by the New York City Board of Health states that “non-alcoholic sugary drinks may not be offered or sold in cups or containers that can contain more than 16 fluid ounces” ... unless it’s from a grocery or convenience store. Here’s why this arbitrary, misguided ban unfairly targets restaurants: According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the majority of consumers purchase their sugar-sweetened beverages from convenience and grocery stores!

The CDC data also indicates that sugar-sweetened beverages account for only 5 to 8 percent of caloric intake. Added sugars consumed from sugar- down a slippery slope. For example, what’s more American than apple pie? One slice has about 400 calories, more than the calories in a 32-ounce soda. Should officials also ban apple pie?

Now let’s look at the other restaurant story in the headlines: “McDonald’s posts calorie counts on menus.” This move, in anticipation of new menu labeling requirements for restaurants with 20 or more units, puts nutritional information in the hands of guests. Our industry took a leadership role in shaping menu labeling legislation. Also, over a year ago the National Restaurant Association launched Kids LiveWell, a voluntary program with more than 100 restaurant brands committed to providing healthful children’s menu choices. These initiatives help educate the 130 million patrons served in restaurants each day on the nutritional content of food and beverages. They are our choices — for now, at least. You can choose to have your apple pie and eat it, too. Or you could opt for apple slices (15 calories) with your Happy Meal. With this enhanced information, let’s keep America and our freedom of choice healthy. Food and beverage bans are not the way forward.

Karen Bremer is executive director of the Georgia Restaurant Association.