Five City Council members echo that view in a court filing, saying the Council is “the proper forum for balancing the city’s myriad interests in matters of public health.” The Bloomberg administration counters that the health board, made up of doctors and other health professionals, has the “specialized expertise” needed to make the call on limiting cola sizes.
The suit also argues the rule is too narrow to be fair. Alcohol, unsweetened juice and milk-based drinks are excluded, as are supermarkets and many convenience stores — including 7-Eleven, home of the Big Gulp — that aren’t subject to city health regulations.
The NAACP and the Hispanic Federation, a network of 100 northeastern groups, say minority-owned delis and corner stores will end up at a disadvantage compared to grocery chains.
“This sweeping regulation will no doubt burden and disproportionally impact minority-owned businesses at a time when these businesses can least afford it,” they said in court papers. They say the city should focus instead on increasing physical education in schools.
During Bloomberg’s 11-year tenure, the city also has made chain restaurants post calorie counts on their menus and barred artificial trans fats in french fries and other restaurant food.
In general, state and local governments have considerable authority to enact laws intended to protect people’s health and safety, but it remains to be seen how a court will view a portion-size restriction, said Neal Fortin, director, Institute for Food Laws and Regulations at Michigan State University.
(Photo: AP)
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It’s a sad day when a chapter of the NAACP feels it needs to be an advocate for the soda and beverage industry. African Americans are suffering from high rates of obesity, diabetes and heart problems clearly linked to high intake of sugar. Mayor Bloomberg’s actions should be seen as an awareness campaign, not a ban on your soda choice. He did not ban sodas, all he is doing is attempting to make you alert to the amount of sugar contained in sodas.
The same group of people who feel the Mayor’s actions represent government meddling are the same folks who seek and will seek government assistance for the health problems created from their high sugar consumption.
A better role for the NAACP would be to sponsor an awareness campaign on the devasting effects of over sugar consumption in the African American and Hispanic community.