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| A judge invalidated New York City’s ban on large sugary drinks on Monday, one day before it was to go into effect, dealing Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg a major blow. |
| The decision by Justice Milton A. Tingling Jr. of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan blocks the city from putting the rules into effect or enforcing them. |
| Justice Tingling said the rule banning the drinks was “arbitrary and capricious.” |
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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/nyregion/judge-invalidates-bloombergs-soda-ban.html?emc=na |
I agree that this soda pop law is fatally flawed. But we do have a growing problem with obesity in this country, especially with our children. It is one of the main causes of our poor population health statistics and increasing costs of health care.
ReplyDeleteThe subject is covered pretty well in this video…
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/health/escape-fire-documentary/index.html
The cause of the problem is deeper than just saying people make bad choices in what they eat. All these processed foods are loaded with extra added salt, fat, and sugar. Why? Not for health reason. These substances all contribute to disease. The reason we eat too much of these things is that the food manufacturers know that putting these substances into our food make them more tasty and make us want to eat more, and the more we eat, the fatter we get, and the more money they make. The data show that only 3% of our population has the self-discipline to stay on a healthy diet (e.g. Schwarzbein Principle).
I don't have the solution, but that doesn't stop me from seeing the problem. I don't see much possibility of food manufacturers voluntarily agreeing to put less salt, fat, and sugar into their products so long as there is consumer demand for hamburgers, pizza, Coke, cookies, and potato chips. Maybe more consumer education is the answer, as with cigarettes, but it is going to be another long battle against a well-financed industry.
--David