Opponents Of Sugary Drink Ban Face Off With City Officials In Court
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Soda makers and sellers are in court over a bid to delay enforcement of New York City's first-of-its-kind effort to limit the size of sugary drinks.
The American Beverage Association and other groups faced off with city officials Wednesday in a Manhattan courtroom.
The new regulation puts a 16-ounce limit on sugary drinks sold at city restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts and applies to both bottled and fountain drinks.
It does not include grocery or convenience stores that don't serve prepared food and would not apply to diet soda, other calorie-free drinks or anything that has at least 50 percent milk or milk substitute.
Opponents Of Sugary Drink Ban Face Off With City Officials In Court
The rule is set to take effect March 12.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the lawsuit "a disgrace" and defended the ban as a way to curb obesity.
But opponents have said it's an unfair burden on businesses. They say they shouldn't have to comply until the lawsuit over the matter is resolved.
Last month, city officials announced that soda sellers would get a three-month grace period from fines for violating the upcoming crackdown.
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