Gulp! NYC Board of Health Passes Big Soda Ban

Super-size me (not).

As widely expected, the New York City Board of Health on Thursday approved Mayor Michael Bloomberg‘s ban on sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.

The “big soda ban” will go into effect six months from now and will affect a range of popular sweetened beverages, including energy drinks, pre-sweetened iced teas and common brands of non-diet soda. The ban will not apply to fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages. Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven are exempt from the measure's gulp reducing restrictions. The soft drink industry in the United States has expressed strong opposition to the measure, concerned that the limitations will be bad for business. The ban has also been widely banned by many NYC residents. (New York Times)