After Lengthy Debate, NY Senate OKs Yogurt As State Snack

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York state Senate found itself locked in a feisty debate Tuesday evening -- over yogurt.

As WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported, lawmakers spent an hour debating whether to approve legislation designating yogurt as the official state snack -- which they ultimately approved in a 52-8 vote.

But Sen. Gustavo Rivera, D-Bronx, first wanted to make sure by the bill's author, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer, R-Williamsville, had thought the proposal through.

"Did the sponsor consider raisins as a potential official state snack?" Rivera said on the Senate floor. "Perhaps pretzels? ... What if the pretzel was dipped in yogurt? ... Cheesecake?"

Sen. Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, said she considered those who might be offended by naming yogurt the state snack -- namely the lactose intolerant.

A brief discussion about soy yogurt then ensued. Krueger said that might offend the "taste buds of fourth-graders."

Sen. John Bonacic, R-Middletown, tried to clarify the proposal.

"No one is compelled to eat particular kinds of yogurt," he explained.

Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, D-Queens, also made a last-second appeal that lawmakers consider the carrot cookie instead.

According to the bill: "Yogurt is a healthy food that tastes great and is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium and magnesium, all nutrients that are an important part of a good diet. Yogurt is also an important economic driver across our state; in fact New York is now the number one processor of yogurt in the country."

The bill now faces another debate in the Assembly.

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