Guardian Aug. 4, 2013

Health: it is time we got to grips with Big Sugar | Observer editorial

Excess sugar in our diets is causing obesity and diabetes. Now is the time for tough legislation to regulate the food industry

Michael Rubens Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, last week received a setback in his estimable campaign to improve the health of his city. In March, he attempted to impose a ban on all sugary drinks in portions larger than 16oz. Last week, an appeals court decided his action was an illegal over-reach of executive power: the super-size continues to sell. Over the past 10 years Mayor Bloomberg has fought hard to contain the city's obesity epidemic. Measures include banning trans fats and stipulating that chain restaurants list calorie counts. "Since New York's groundbreaking limit on the portion size of sugary beverages was prevented from going into effect [by a lower court ruling in March] … more than 2,000 New Yorkers have died

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