Industry groups including the American Beverage Association, asked Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling, today, to freeze NYC’s proposed ban on the sale of large sodas set to take effect March 12th.
The move came a month after the group filed a lawsuit to block the Mayor’s obesity-fighting restrictions on sugary drinks greater than 16 ounces, calling it an unfair burden to small business. They want the judge to rule on their lawsuit before the ban goes into effect.”
“Every single dollar that’s spent between now and the time this court rules will have been 100 percent wasted if the court strikes the ban,” argued James Brandt, lawyer for the American Beverage Association, referring to the bigs bucks businesses would have to pour out to comply with the law.
City lawyer Mark Muschenheim argued it was unlikely businesses would suffer any real harm since the city wouldn’t issue the potential $200 fines until June. During this three-month grace period, businesses who violate the new law will be given a piece of paper to educate them on the new policy.
Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling is expected to issue his ruling at a later date.