Mississippi Approves Bill Barring 'Bloomberg' Bans

Regulations would not be allowed to limit portion sizes, nix toys from children's meals and make foodservice establishments post calorie counts.

March 13, 2013

JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippians have long eschewed Northern ideas, and state lawmakers have taken the step to ensure that Mayor Michael Bloomberg??s favorite campaigns don??t infect their state, Mississippi Public Broadcasting reports.

"The Anti-Bloomberg Bill" passed the Legislature with bipartisan support. The proposal would not let towns and counties from drawing up ordinances that would curb portion sizes, forbid toys in children??s meals and force restaurants to display calorie counts. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to sign the bill, which is on his desk.

The proposal drew wide support from small businesses, beverage companies, restaurants and even chicken farmers. "If you look at how menus have changed, whether it be in fast food or family dining, you are seeing more and more healthy options," said Mike Cashion, executive director of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association. "Not because of legislative mandates or regulator mandates but because of consumer demand. Our industry has always been one to respond to the marketplace."

State Rep. Gregory Holloway sponsored the bill, saying the proposal would bring about a consistent nutrition law in the state. "We don??t want local municipalities experimenting with labeling of food and any organic agenda. We want that authority to rest with the Legislature," said Holloway.

On Monday, a New York Supreme Court judge blocked New York City??s soda ban, that was set to start yesterday. The city has vowed it will appeal the ruling.

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