NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposes banning sodas, spares doughnuts

On Friday, June 1, the whole of United States would be observing the day as the National Doughnut Day, while New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in his most recent endeavor to fight obesity, has proposed a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks. However, he issued a statement proclaiming Friday as NYC Doughnut Day.

Every year the first Friday of June is celebrated as the National Doughnut Day, originally started 75 years ago by the Salvation Army in tribute to the women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. Thus, like all other states, New York will also be celebrating National Doughnut Day, but City Hall officials have said that the Mayor’s announcement does not stand for the Health Department policy.

It is pertinent to mention here that Bloomberg is busy fighting against obesity; therefore he lately went on to come up with the ‘banning soda’ idea. The ban only applies to drinks with more than 25 calories per 8 ounces; a ceiling level of 16 ounces for all drink has been proposed. This would mean an end to huge servings of lots of trendy drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestea Iced Tea, Rockstar Energy Drink, Sprite and many more.

"The percentage of the population that is obese is skyrocketing," Bloomberg said, according to a report of ABC News. "We've got to do something."

However the proposed ban would not affect diet soda, or drinks having seventy percent juice and those containing half milk or milk alternate. Besides, drinks sold in several supermarkets or convenience store would also not be affected by this ban.

The proposal, if executed, would be the first direct effort by an American city government to draw a perimeter for soda portion sizes. The Mayor’s proposal is being badly condemned by rulers of the soft-drink industry. Some people of the soft drink sector accuse the Mayor of creating a ‘nanny state’.

According to the ABC News report, Coca-Cola Co. issued a statement saying, "The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City Health Department believes. New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase.”