The folks selling mega-sodas at food courts and fast-food drive-thrus are not very sweet on New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to trim hometown waistlines by banning sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at city dining establishments.
The International Franchise Association weighed in on the debate this week, submitting comments to the New York City Board of Health opposing the ban. The IFA contends the proposal “would do nothing to reduce obesity†and could result in negative economic consequences.
“Limiting the sale of beverages to consumers will do nothing more than force small-business franchise restaurant owners to raise prices on other items to account for the loss in sales, or worse yet, consider laying off workers, and neither option is a good option,” Judith Thorman, IFA’s senior vice president of government relations and public policy, said in a letter to the board.