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Bloomberg Announces Soda Ban Today, Celebrates Donuts Tomorrow!
By
John Del Signore
Published May 31, 2012
Modified May 31, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 31, 2012
Modified May 31, 2012
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What better way to publicize off a bold new anti-sugar initiative than by celebrating the amazing edible delight that is the donut! Hot on the heels of his announcement that the NYC Health Department will try to ban the sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces, Mayor Bloomberg will celebrate the 75th National Donut Day tomorrow.
At an event in Madison Square Park tomorrow, Entenmann's will "present a donation check for $25,000 to The Salvation Army, unveil the largest box of Entenmann's Donuts ever created along with custom-made donuts 1-foot in diameter, and share a Proclamation Letter from Mayor Bloomberg." It's unclear if Bloomberg will personally attend the event, but we're guessing he'll be too busy preparing for his 1 p.m. MSNBC interview with Andrea Mitchell, to discuss "NYC efforts to combat obesity."
At a press conference announcing the soda ban proposal today, one reporter (judging by the video, it sounds like Marcia Kramer) asked Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs about the Donut Day proclamation, and whether it muddled the mayor's message on sugar. “The work of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reflects the mayor’s public health agenda,” Gibbs declared. "The celebratory events, the naming days in honor of individuals or items, or frivolities that are fun and [bring] exceptional joy are quite distinct from a public health agenda."
And what could be more fun than free donuts (besides a free Big Gulp, maybe)? According to the Entenmann's press release, there will be free donuts handed out tomorrow from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the southwest corner of Madison Square Park, 23rd Street & Broadway. There will also be free coffee, but do the mayor a favor and make sure it's under 16 ounces if you want to add sugar to it.
We asked the mayor's spokesman for a copy of the proclamation, and we'll update if we get our fat little fingers on it.
It's perhaps worth noting here that the Coca-Cola company has hit back at Bloomberg's proposal with this statement: "The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City Health Department believes. We are transparent with our consumers. They can see exactly how many calories are in every beverage we serve. We have prominently placed calorie counts on the front of our bottles and cans and in New York City, restaurants already post the calorie content of all their offerings and portion sizes -- including soft drinks.
"New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase. We hope New Yorkers loudly voice their disapproval about this arbitrary mandate." That's right, Mike, you're going to have to answer to the Coca-Cola company:
Tagged
awkward
bloomberg
donuts
soda
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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