Health News
- Mayors And Ama Say Food Stamps Shouldn't Pay For Soft Drinks
Louisville's Greg Fischer is among 18 mayors asking Congress to ban sugary drinks from purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps. One day after their June 18 letter, the American Medical Association...
- Nyc Deeply Split On Bloomberg Plan To Ban Supersize Sodas
Bloomberg with Linda I. Gibbs, deputy mayor for health. (New York Times photo by Chang W. Lee)In a bold move to curb obesity, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of supersize sodas and other sugary drinks by restaurants,...
- The ?fat Tax? In Denmark
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromThere?s a lot of debate about whether high-calorie ?junk? foods should be taxed to help stem the obesity epidemic in our country. Maybe we can gain some insights from the recent policy change in Denmark.About a year ago, Danish...
- Smart Snacking: Part One
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s hard to make healthy foods choices when you?re running around, and don?t have time to preplan. In the perfect world, you?d be carrying a fruit, or small protein bar, or a small bag of nuts when you need a snack. In...
- Bye-bye Supersized Drinks?
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Across the nation nearly everyone I speak with has a strong reaction to last week?s plan led by New York City?s mayor to ban sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (a typical ?medium?). This includes both bottled and fountain drinks...
Health News
Is the Soda Ban Illegal?
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
The debate on whether the serving size of a soda should be regulated by the government is continuing to heat up. I?ve been writing about this controversial ban on selling soda with a limit of 16 ounces because this is a prime example of how food regulatory policies could be used help stem the obesity epidemic. The question remains: is this an effective strategy? It?s important to follow these new developments, as these decisions will likely impact implementation of policies like these in our region, and throughout the country.
In response to the NYC Health Department?s ban on selling sodas larger than 16 ounces in places like movie theaters and restaurants, a lawsuit aimed at overturning this ban was filed by a consortium that includes the American Beverage Association, the National Restaurant Association, the soda workers union, and movie theatre owners. The argument is that such a ban would hurt small businesses and burden consumers, and it could even affect movie theatre prices (sale of concessions help keep ticket prices down).
Critics call this ban a prime example of the ?food police? and an attack on personal choice, while supporters call it a much needed step in the right direction to change consumer behavior to healthier eating. And healthier eating should lead to obesity reduction.
Now this debate has moved out of the health arena, and into the courts for some further answers.
Do you think this next ?legal? step will help or hurt the effort to limit the consumption of liquid calories?
- Mayors And Ama Say Food Stamps Shouldn't Pay For Soft Drinks
Louisville's Greg Fischer is among 18 mayors asking Congress to ban sugary drinks from purchase under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps. One day after their June 18 letter, the American Medical Association...
- Nyc Deeply Split On Bloomberg Plan To Ban Supersize Sodas
Bloomberg with Linda I. Gibbs, deputy mayor for health. (New York Times photo by Chang W. Lee)In a bold move to curb obesity, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of supersize sodas and other sugary drinks by restaurants,...
- The ?fat Tax? In Denmark
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromThere?s a lot of debate about whether high-calorie ?junk? foods should be taxed to help stem the obesity epidemic in our country. Maybe we can gain some insights from the recent policy change in Denmark.About a year ago, Danish...
- Smart Snacking: Part One
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It?s hard to make healthy foods choices when you?re running around, and don?t have time to preplan. In the perfect world, you?d be carrying a fruit, or small protein bar, or a small bag of nuts when you need a snack. In...
- Bye-bye Supersized Drinks?
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Across the nation nearly everyone I speak with has a strong reaction to last week?s plan led by New York City?s mayor to ban sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces (a typical ?medium?). This includes both bottled and fountain drinks...