IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Victoria Coley | email | 443.758.6077

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, The New York Times reports the latest regulatory effort by Mayor Michael Bloomberg as his administration plans to enact a far-reaching ban on the sale of large,sugar infused beverages in restaurants, fast food joints, delis, movie theaters, athletic venues and even food carts across the city – in what seems to be the government's most substancial assault on calories to date.

The proposed ban would obstruct the selling of any cup or bottle of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces – smaller than the standard bottle of soda, administration officials said. The regulation, which would be the first in our country to take a reach at limiting the sugary drinks, will be voted on by the New York City Board of Health and could take effect as early as March 2013. 

Upon the approval of this sugary regulation, companies – large and small – will have nine months to comply with the ban before they are issued with steep fines. 

Julie Gunlock, Director of Women for Food Freedom at Independent Women's Forum, issued the following statement:

"It's time to stop the insanity. Mayor Bloomberg claims this is all part of an altruistic effort to reduce obesity among New Yorkers but regulations on the food industry does nothing to shrink waistlines or make Americans healthier.

"[Bloomberg's] successful campaign to ban trans-fats and to require restaurants to list calorie information on their menus as well as his highly public PR smear of salt should have been a clue to New Yorkers that Bloomberg has high ambitions to poke around in people's personal health and food decisions.

"Lawmakers should be focused on the economy, jobless numbers and the significant security issues America faces every day.  Lawmakers, like Mayor Bloomberg, who focus on the size of someone's beverage are clearly out of touch with what Americans are concerned about in this day and age." 

For more information visit www.iwf.org/food/

Available experts http://www.iwf.org/about

 

Independent Women's Forum is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) research and educational institution dedicated to building awareness of the ways that women benefit from limited government, personal liberty, and economic freedom, and by countering those who seek to ever expand government in the name of protecting women.

MEDIA CONTACT
Victoria R Coley
Director of Communications
Independent Women's Forum | www.iwf.org
443.758.6077 | [email protected]