Should New York ban Coke?
Should New York ban Coke?
Using food stamps to buy sodas, teas, sports drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages would not be allowed in New York City under a new government effort to battle obesity.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson announced Thursday that they are seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the nation's food stamp program, to add sugary drinks to the list of prohibited goods for city residents receiving assistance.
If approved, it would be the first time an item would be banned from the federal program based solely on nutritional value.
The idea has been suggested before, including in 2008 in Maine, where it drew criticism from advocates for the poor who argued it unfairly singled out low-income people and risked scaring off potential needy recipients.
ng approved than the "skimpy" 2004 Minnesota program because it focuses only on beverages.
The food stamp system, launched in the 1960s, serves some 40 million Americans per month and does not currently restrict any food item based on nutrition.
Recipients can essentially buy any food for the household, although there are some limits on hot or prepared foods. Food stamps also cannot be used to buy alcohol, cigarettes or items such as pet food, vitamins or household goods.
The ban would apply to any beverage that contains more than 10 calories per 8 ounces, except for milk products, milk substitutes like soy milk and rice milk, and fruit juices without added sugar.
A 20-ounce sugar-sweetened drink can contain the equivalent of as many as 16 packets of sugar.
Some New Yorkers who receive the assistance said officials had good intentions but felt the proposal went too far.
"I can see the sodas, but suppose somebody's in bad shape and they just want juice?" said Harold Vilson, a 56-year-old Brooklyn resident who said he uses food stamps.
"If people want to buy that stuff, they should be able to. If it's not an illegal product, they should be able to buy what they want to buy."
"Sugar-sweetened drinks are not worth the cost to our health, and government shouldn't be promoting or subsidizing them," said Bloomberg, who also has outlawed trans-fats in restaurant food and has forced chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus.
There still are many unhealthful products New Yorkers could purchase with food stamps, including potato chips, ice cream and candy. Officials said the proposal targets sugary drinks because they are the largest contributor to obesity.
More than half of adult New York City residents are overweight or obese, along with nearly 40 percent of public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
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- Posted on October 8, 2010
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Coke should not banned from New York i have went to New York a lot of times and one of the best drinks are Coke if they banned it people will go crazy for Coke
I also think they shouldn't ban Coke from New York, but I am sure people wouldn't go crazy. I think people would just start to forget the drink and move on to a different one because it's not like they can start a war over soda.
This is stupid people should be able to eat/drink what they want it's kinda like freedom.It's ok if people are obese that's their choice.I think there would be a lot of people complaining about it.
There is no way that Coke should be banned in New York! If i went to there and couldn't buy a Coke, then I wouldn't be happy. New York is also going to ban unhealthy foods like candy and foods that contain fat and a lot of sugar. I can't live there without Coke and candy!
I think it is an outrage that New York is thinking about banning coke for obesity. I think that people who live in big cities should not be fat since they are always walking around to places since the streets are tight and people usually walk. I have been to New York numerous times and there is alot of walking.
No! I love Coke i always drink it for dinner. If our teacher let us bring soda I would drink Coke. My mom said that if you drink too much Coke you will go crazy!
Coke is awesome. Why will they do that??? They must be thinking crazy. Coke is my favorite soda. I will explode if they banned Coke.
Food and Health: I think that is so dumb because a lot of people like coca cola. I wonder what would people say from New York? If they ever ban coke over here i would die because coca cola means everything to me. So yeah that is very very dumb.
I think that people that are in food stamps should not be allowed to buy food that is affecting thier health. Food stamp should be only use to be buying healthy food. people should be educated how to eat healthy food.
Really your gonna coke from New York!!! I love coke and so does every other person in the world. That's a stupid idea to ban something so good to drink. I greatly appreciate if you don't ban coke in Ohio.