"Supersize me" just got a lot more complicated in New York City. The city's Board of Health today approved a ban of sales of non-diet soft drinks over 16 ounces. The restriction is meant to address obesity concerns, but doubts about its effectiveness and anxiety about the government's role in daily life have loomed large since its initial proposal by Mayor Michael Bloomberg earlier this year.
Some proponents of the ban view it as an education tactic, more than a direct channel to trim New Yorkers' soda consumption. The city spends around $4 billion on direct medical costs every year, and 58% of adult New Yorkers are considered overweight or obese, according to the mayor. It's a national issue.
Source: cdc.gov
Opponents of the ban include fast-food companies, which view the policy as sloppy and misguided. While restaurants, movie theaters, and mobile food carts are among the venues that will have to adhere to soft-drink size limitations, convenience stores and grocery stores will be able to sell any size soda they wish. In addition, certain exceptions would allow milk-heavy drinks to avoid the calorie cap.
While soda giants Coca-Cola
Coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin' Brands could actually increase their drinks' milk content (and thus, caloric content) to qualify for an exception to the ban. Free refills will be allowed, meaning that Yum Brands' restaurants and other fast-food joints could see consumers doubling up on 16 oz. servings, rather than purchasing a single 20 oz. beverage.