by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Many of us remember back in 2013, when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to implement a new law that banned the sale of soda and sugary drinks in excess of 16 ounces. To Bloomberg's dismay, the seriously flawed law was struck down by the courts as being arbitrary, capricious and unconstitutional. While trying to mandate and control peoples' sugar consumption by law is mildly absurd, the health benefits of limiting sugar intake are undeniable. Further, the willingness of fine establishments to offer unhealthy beverages for sale to the public in the name of money, is alarming to say the least.
For example, many of us like to enjoy the simple pleasure of a large chocolate ice cream shake. Perhaps some of the most popular shakes are sold by Carvel and Baskin-Robbins. It sounds harmless enough, that is until you examine the nutrition label.
According to Carvel's website their large chocolate shake is 32 ounces with 1,290 calories, 470 calories of which are from fat. There are 53 grams of fat in the shake, including 34 grams of saturated fat. If that doesn't get your attention, the shake also contains an astounding 158 grams of sugar.
According to the Baskin-Robbins' website their large chocolate shake is also 32 ounces, but it contains 1,530 calories with 610 calories from fat. There are 68 grams of fat in the shake (including 43 grams of saturated fat) and 159 grams of sugar. If former NYC Mayor Bloomberg's Sugary Drink Ban no longer sounds so crazy, it may be in part because both shakes have the equivalent of almost 40 teaspoons of sugar!
While the sale of these shakes and other similar drinks are of course not illegal and nor should they be, they do give reason for pause. Ultimately it is the buyer that must beware and protect his or her own health. If a food or drink item is not healthy to consume, then it is largely incumbent upon the consumer (not the law) to safeguard against it by deciding not to buy it. Bloomberg was right to recognize that obesity is a serious problem in our country, but the solution starts with consumer self-discipline and not proscription by law.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com
Many of us remember back in 2013, when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg tried to implement a new law that banned the sale of soda and sugary drinks in excess of 16 ounces. To Bloomberg's dismay, the seriously flawed law was struck down by the courts as being arbitrary, capricious and unconstitutional. While trying to mandate and control peoples' sugar consumption by law is mildly absurd, the health benefits of limiting sugar intake are undeniable. Further, the willingness of fine establishments to offer unhealthy beverages for sale to the public in the name of money, is alarming to say the least.
For example, many of us like to enjoy the simple pleasure of a large chocolate ice cream shake. Perhaps some of the most popular shakes are sold by Carvel and Baskin-Robbins. It sounds harmless enough, that is until you examine the nutrition label.
According to Carvel's website their large chocolate shake is 32 ounces with 1,290 calories, 470 calories of which are from fat. There are 53 grams of fat in the shake, including 34 grams of saturated fat. If that doesn't get your attention, the shake also contains an astounding 158 grams of sugar.
According to the Baskin-Robbins' website their large chocolate shake is also 32 ounces, but it contains 1,530 calories with 610 calories from fat. There are 68 grams of fat in the shake (including 43 grams of saturated fat) and 159 grams of sugar. If former NYC Mayor Bloomberg's Sugary Drink Ban no longer sounds so crazy, it may be in part because both shakes have the equivalent of almost 40 teaspoons of sugar!
While the sale of these shakes and other similar drinks are of course not illegal and nor should they be, they do give reason for pause. Ultimately it is the buyer that must beware and protect his or her own health. If a food or drink item is not healthy to consume, then it is largely incumbent upon the consumer (not the law) to safeguard against it by deciding not to buy it. Bloomberg was right to recognize that obesity is a serious problem in our country, but the solution starts with consumer self-discipline and not proscription by law.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com
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