New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, center, accompanied by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda Gibbs and Howard Wolfson, Counselor New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, addresses a news conference at New York's City Hall, Thursday, May 31, 2012. Mayor Bloomberg is proposing a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in the city's restaurants, delis and movie theaters in the hopes of combating obesity, an expansion of his administration's efforts to encourage healthy behavior by limiting residents' choices. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
New York --
Want to super-size that soda? Sorry, but in New York City you could be out of luck.
In his latest effort to fight obesity in this era of Big Gulps and triple bacon cheeseburgers, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing an unprecedented ban on large servings of soda and other sugary drinks at restaurants, delis, sports arenas and movie theaters.
Drinks would be limited to 16 ounces, which is considered a small serving at many fast-food joints.
It is the first time an American city has directly attempted to limit soda portion sizes, and the soft-drink industry and others bitterly accused the three-term mayor of creating a "nanny state" and robbing New Yorkers of the right to decide for themselves.
"The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City Health Department believes," Coca-Cola Co. said in a statement. "New Yorkers ... can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase."
The ban is expected to win approval from the Bloomberg-appointed Board of Health and take effect next year. City officials said the proposal would prove popular and push governments around the nation to adopt similar rules.
City officials said calorie-heavy drinks such as Starbucks Frappuccinos likely would be exempted for their dairy content. Drinks at 7-Eleven wouldn't be affected because the stores are regulated as groceries.
Bloomberg said people who want to guzzle soda would be free to order more than one drink. But he said restricting servings could curb consumption.
"You tend to eat all of the food in the container. If it's bigger, you eat more. If somebody put a smaller glass or plate or bowl in front of you, you would eat less," he said.
This article appeared on page A - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle
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