NYC bans big, sugary drinks at restaurants

September 14, 2012 | Modified: September 14, 2012 at 2:32 am
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Christina Nunez fills up a supersized soft-drink cup with cola at a fast-food restaurant in New York, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. The era of the supersized cola may come to an end in New York City on Thursday, when health officials are expected to approve an unprecedented 16-ounce (470-milliliter) limit on sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, delis and movie theaters. Nunez says she drinks an extra large drink every day after work. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK (AP) — In a first-in-the-nation ruling, New York City is barring restaurants, cafeterias and concessions stands from selling soda and other calorie-rich drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces.

The regulation, which was proposed in the spring by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, was passed on Thursday by the city's Board of Health after several months of review.

Now, public health experts around the nation — and the restaurant and soft-drink industry — will be watching closely to see whether the new restrictions lead to changes in the way New Yorkers eat and drink.

No other U.S. city has tried to fight the obesity epidemic by restricting portion sizes at restaurants. City officials say they were willing to take dramatic action to get the public to see that empty-calorie foods are a menace.