The National Restaurant Association and representatives from other groups who are part of a lawsuit asked a judge to block Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of large, sugary beverages at restaurants and other businesses in New York.
The lawsuit, which was filed in October 2012 in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, is seeking to overturn the ban on the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. The ban is slated to take effect in March. The lawsuit claims that the New York Board of Health overstepped its authority by passing the ban, arguing that it should have been addressed by the New York City Council.
Opponents also claim the law is unfair because it does not apply to retail food and convenience stores, which fall under the jurisdiction of the state of New York.
Bloomberg has said the ban was implemented to address the city’s health and obesity problems.
Contact Paul Frumkin at paul.frumkin@penton.com.
Follow him on Twitter: @NRNPaul.