The requirement that bans restaurants and other eateries from selling sugary drinks in cups larger than 16 ounces begins March 12, though health officials won't seek fines for noncompliance for at least three months.
NEW YORK - Sugary drink sellers in New York City will get a three-month grace period from fines for violating the city€™s new ordinance, which takes effect March 12, the Associated Press reports.
The penalty reprieve comes while soda makers, restaurateurs and other businesses are suing the city to block the rule from taking effect.
While the requirement that bans restaurants and many other eateries from selling high-sugar drinks in cups larger than 16 ounces begins March 12, health officials "will not seek fines for noncompliance for the first three months," said city lawyer Mark Muschenheim. Rather, violators of the rule will receive notices from March to June, after which they could face $200 fines.
The lawsuit maintains the restriction unfairly harms small businesses and that the unelected health board exceeded its authority in dictating the size of soft drinks.