State Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling declared the mandate invalid, just one day before it was due to go into effect.
In his ruling, Judge Tingling wrote: “The loopholes in this rule effectively defeat the stated purpose of this rule.”
The proposed ban prohibited the sale of non-diet soda and some other sugary beverages in containers bigger than half a litre, and applied at places ranging from pizzerias to sports stadiums. Supermarkets and convenience stores were not to be affected.
The 11th hour decision was a blow to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose chief lawyer, Michael Cardozo, vowed to appeal. Bloomberg has made public health a cornerstone of his administration, with laws prohibiting smoking in restaurants, bars and parks, banning trans fats,and requiring chain restaurants to post calorie counts.
The proposed ban faced strong opposition from the American Beverage Association and other business groups who sued the city over the plan.
Source: Sky News/Reuters/Guardian/FoodBev Media
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024