After soda ban proposal, NYC officials set sights on popcorn and milk shakes

close

Video

No more super-sized drinks for NYC

Neal Asbury and Dr. Howard Shapiro discuss if NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is turning the city into a nanny state

Watch out, moviegoers -- Nanny York City is taking aim at yet another of life's gluttonous pleasures.

On the heels of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's call for a ban on jumbo-sized sodas and other sugary drinks, city officials are now considering restrictions on treats ranging from popcorn to milkshakes.

At a meeting Tuesday, members of the New York City Board of Health expressed support for Bloomberg's proposal. They then started brainstorming other ways to cut the fat, according to MyFoxNY.com.

Member Bruce Vladeck proposed limiting movie-theater popcorn containers.

"The popcorn isn't a whole lot better than the soda," he said.

Another member suggested limits for milkshakes and "milk-coffee beverages."

The board, whose members were appointed by Bloomberg, will vote on the mayor's drink proposal -- but agreed to a six-week, public-comment period before taking a vote, according to MyFoxNY.com.

Bloomberg has said the drink ban is an attempt to fight obesity in the city.

His first-in-the-nation ban, formally announced May 31, would limit sweet drinks to 16 ounces at venues across the city -- from restaurants to street carts to movie theaters. However, the proposal allows refills.

The ban would not apply to diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks or alcoholic beverages. Nor would it include drinks sold in grocery or convenience stores. Food establishments that don't downsize would face fines of $200.

Bloomberg, who took office in 2002,  has also taken a tough stance on foods with trans fats and smoking. He has put a stiff tax on cigarettes packs and has banned smoking in workplaces, parks and beaches.

The New York City Restaurant Association is fighting the drink proposal and is considering legal action of it goes into effect.

Association spokesman Stefan Friedman recently called the proposal "zealous." He said officials should seek solutions that are actually going to curb obesity.

Click for more from MyFoxNY.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.