Could New York really ban large sodas?



No change is victim-free.  Whenever there’s a change there is always someone left screaming, even if it seemed like the most innocuous decision in the first place. 

Such is the case with New York City and the recent proposed crackdown on super-sized drinks.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to bar practically everyone (restaurants, movie theaters, food carts, delis, sports arenas, etc.) from selling sugary drinks in servings larger than 16 ounces. 

The reason?  New York City spends billions of dollars a year on weight-related health problems, and the Mayor is eager to curb obesity any way he can. 

And while many people applaud the decision to help make New Yorkers healthier, there are just as many who are up in arms against the idea.  None the least is Coca-Cola, who claims that “We’re going to look at all of our options to protect our business, our rights to do business and our rights not to be discriminated against. We won’t take anything off the table.”

It’s not just big soda who’s on fire over the issue, there are many critics who fear that this is simply the first part in what is likely to be a crusade against unhealthy food.   Could the same thing happen to large slices of pizza?  Or deep fried twinkies?

Attorney Rob Bookman even argues that having different locales with different rules for what food can and cannot be served could end up bankrupting the food industry.

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