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NY’s health experts approve `big-soda ban`

      Health experts have reportedly praised New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s super sized soda ban proposition on Tuesday, insisting that the ban should be extended upon other fattening snacks too. Mayor Bloomberg wants to limit sodas quantity to 16 ounces at many outlets. The experts, who voted unanimously for the ban want the plan to go further to nix-oversized juices, milk shakes and Hizzoner’s favorite snack- ‘popcorn’, the New York Daily reported. “Popcorn isn’t a whole lot better from the nutritional point of view than soda is, and may have even more calories,” Dr. Bruce Vladeck, a member of the city’s Board of Health, at a meeting in Long Island City, Queens, said. Vladeck, with 11 other members of the Board of Health voted to approve holding a public hearing on the ban in July. The hearing is due for July 24. A final voting session on the plan to restrict sugary drinks over 16 ounces in restaurants, movie theatres and sports arenas is expected to take place in September. And if the board approves the proposal, it would go into effect in March 2013. However, some board members suggested they’d be in favour of an even more expansive ban. “I just want to second the concerns about excluding juice, even 100% juice, and milk-containing beverages . . . that have monstrous amounts of calories in them,” Dr. Joel Forman said. City Assistant Health Commissioner, Susan Kansagra claimed that the city’s obesity crisis has hit epidemic levels, leading to 5,800 deaths a year and costing taxpayers 4 billion dollars annually. “Sugary drinks are the largest source of added sugars to our diet,” Kansagra said. However, when pressed to explain why the ban doesn’t include milk and coffee-based drinks, Kansagra insisted that those beverages, unlike soda, have nutritional benefits and are more satiating. But, a couple of board members voiced some serious concerns regarding the ban. Dr. Sixto Caro claimed that he’s worried about the economic impact the proposal would have on small businesses and low-income New Yorkers. “We are targeting the low-income small business rather than the big company,” Caro said. Andrew Moesel, spokesman for the New York Restaurant Association, slammed the proposal after sitting through the hearing. “We don’t know if next it’ll be 16 fries on a plate or only one hot dog a day,” Moesel said and added that his group will be considering legal action.

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