A judge has invalidated New York City’s ban on large sugary drinks one day before it went into effect, stopping an initiative that had many critics in the social and business world up in arms.
The decision blocks the city putting the rules into effect or enforcing them, even though Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has pushed and promoted the ban as a needed health law that would save the city millions in health care.
Justice Milton A. Tingling Jr. of State Supreme Court in Manhattan said the rule banning the drinks was “arbitrary and capricious.†The judge specifically cited the inequity of the soda rules, which applied to some food establishments, like restaurants, but not others like convenience stores.
“It applies to some but not all food establishments in the city,†Justice Tingling wrote. “It excludes other beverages that have significantly higher concentrations of sugar sweeteners and/or calories.â€
This same inequity was pointed out a few months ago by the NAACP and an association of bodega owners.
Source: Wall St. Journal