[vendtalk] NYC Soda Sellers Get Grace Period Before Supersize Drink Fines Kick In Mar. 12; Hearing Next Week

[Vandervoort's]

Vending Issue Date: Vol. 53, No. 1, January 2013, Posted On: 1/17/2013 
NYC Soda Sellers Get Grace Period Before Supersize Drink Fines Kick In Mar.
12; Hearing Next Week

Emily Jed: Emily at vendingtimes.net 

NEW YORK CITY -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on large-size sodas will take
effect in March, but businesses will still have a few months to conform to
the new regulations before they're hit with fines.

City health department officials confirmed on Dec. 14 that the city will
begin enforcing a 16-fl.oz. size limit on sugary drinks beginning March 12
as planned, but soda sellers who need more time to comply now will get a
three-month reprieve from fines. Instead, violators would get notices for
until June, after which they could face $200 fines.

The rule, passed by the New York City Board of Health last September, will
prohibit restaurants, delis, concessions, food carts and other city venues
from selling sweetened drinks in containers bigger than 16 fluid oz. It
would not extend to vending machines, convenience stores or supermarkets.
Drinks that are more than half milk or 70% juice would be exempt, and the
rule wouldn't apply to lower-calorie drinks like water or diet soda. 

The city's decision to hold off on fines for the first three months comes as
soda makers, restaurateurs and other businesses are suing to try to block
the unprecedented anti-obesity measure from taking effect. They say the rule
oversteps the city Board of Health's authority. A hearing is set for next
week.

Source:
http://vendingtimes.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=Articles&type=Publishing&mod=
Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=54C
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