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| Beverage companies respond to super-sized sugary drink ban | Beverage companies respond to super-sized sugary drink ban |
| (30 days later) | |
| New Yorkers may be bracing themselves for life without super-sized sodas, but the proposed ban on big-cupped beverages leaves plenty of wriggle room for those seeking a calorific rush in liquid form. | New Yorkers may be bracing themselves for life without super-sized sodas, but the proposed ban on big-cupped beverages leaves plenty of wriggle room for those seeking a calorific rush in liquid form. |
| Mayor Michael Bloomberg's crackdown on servings greater than 16oz has prompted Coca-Cola and McDonald's to complain of customers being stripped of their freedom of choice. | Mayor Michael Bloomberg's crackdown on servings greater than 16oz has prompted Coca-Cola and McDonald's to complain of customers being stripped of their freedom of choice. |
| But elsewhere in the city, beverage providers may be eyeing the proposals with relief. | But elsewhere in the city, beverage providers may be eyeing the proposals with relief. |
| Starbucks customers will still be allowed 500 calories worth of Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino in one sitting, and Shake Shack's peanut butter shakes (870 calories) will continue to be sold over the counter. | Starbucks customers will still be allowed 500 calories worth of Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino in one sitting, and Shake Shack's peanut butter shakes (870 calories) will continue to be sold over the counter. |
| And the granddaddy of the lot, 7-Eleven's Double Big Gulp, will still be available, according to the people behind the 64oz behemoth. | And the granddaddy of the lot, 7-Eleven's Double Big Gulp, will still be available, according to the people behind the 64oz behemoth. |
| In a statement to the Guardian, the retailer said it believes itself to be exempt from Bloomberg's proposed ban. | In a statement to the Guardian, the retailer said it believes itself to be exempt from Bloomberg's proposed ban. |
| Citing the New York Times as its source, a spokeswoman for 7-Eleven said: "The measure would not apply to beverages sold in grocery or convenience stores, and we are a convenience store." | Citing the New York Times as its source, a spokeswoman for 7-Eleven said: "The measure would not apply to beverages sold in grocery or convenience stores, and we are a convenience store." |
| And they are not the only ones swerving around the ban. | And they are not the only ones swerving around the ban. |
| The proposals apply to drinks that contain more than 25 calories per eight ounces. But any beverage that is at least half milk or milk substitute would be exempted from the rules. Likewise, drinks containing 70% fruit juice will be given the all clear. | The proposals apply to drinks that contain more than 25 calories per eight ounces. But any beverage that is at least half milk or milk substitute would be exempted from the rules. Likewise, drinks containing 70% fruit juice will be given the all clear. |
| It leaves milk-shake lovers and aficionados of calorific coffee-based beverages clear to sip away without fear. | It leaves milk-shake lovers and aficionados of calorific coffee-based beverages clear to sip away without fear. |
| The rules have met with strong opposition from firms that will be affected. | The rules have met with strong opposition from firms that will be affected. |
| "New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase," Coca Cola grumbled on Thursday. | "New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase," Coca Cola grumbled on Thursday. |
| McDonald's chimed in the following day in a tweet directed at the mayor: | McDonald's chimed in the following day in a tweet directed at the mayor: |
| But they are not the only ones to raise an eyebrow about the apparent double-standards. | But they are not the only ones to raise an eyebrow about the apparent double-standards. |
| Nutritionists are also a little sceptical over the distinction between drinks of equal calorific content. | Nutritionists are also a little sceptical over the distinction between drinks of equal calorific content. |
| Food scientist Dr Joy Dubost said: "Why focus on specific fizzy drinks? There are many drinks which are more calorific, like your milkshakes, your popular coffee brands and smoothies – which can be made up of sugar with little nutritional value." | Food scientist Dr Joy Dubost said: "Why focus on specific fizzy drinks? There are many drinks which are more calorific, like your milkshakes, your popular coffee brands and smoothies – which can be made up of sugar with little nutritional value." |
| New York-based dietician and nutritionist Karen Ansel added in relation to high calorie drinks: "It is hard to say that one is better or worse than the rest, they are all in the same category." She added: | New York-based dietician and nutritionist Karen Ansel added in relation to high calorie drinks: "It is hard to say that one is better or worse than the rest, they are all in the same category." She added: |
| "There is no evidence that banning soft drinks or taxing them works. But what we do know is that added sugar drinks are packed with empty calories … People should be drinking water, low-fat and non-fat milk and very small servings of 100% juices." | "There is no evidence that banning soft drinks or taxing them works. But what we do know is that added sugar drinks are packed with empty calories … People should be drinking water, low-fat and non-fat milk and very small servings of 100% juices." |
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