Court Invalidates NYC's Ban on Sugary Drinks

Today, some thirsty New Yorkers may have a reason to celebrate.

A day before the soda ban was set to go into effect, Justice Milton A. Tingling Jr. of State Supreme Court in Manhattan struck down on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's limits on sugary drinks.

The ban, which was supposed to go into effect Tuesday (March 12), would have prevented restaurants from serving sugary drinks (including soda and coffee) in cups that are larger than 16 oz. Businesses that did not comply would be slapped with a 200 dollar penalty.

According to The New York Times, the judge called the limits “arbitrary and capricious,” echoing the complaints of city business owners and consumers who had deemed the rules unworkable and nonenforceable with confusing loopholes and voluminous exemptions.

Mayor Bloomberg plans to immediately appeal.

Photo credit: Kristin Callahan/ INF Photo