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Why I don't support the soda ban
I don't personally drink any type of soda, so it would seem like a natural decision to support the soda ban. But I don't.
Tue, Mar 12 2013 at 6:15 PM

Photo: Nomadic Lass

I wasn’t allowed to drink a lot of soda when a child (though I do remember gleefully enjoying it at Taco Bell, our favorite fast-food restaurant back in the day). When I was in high school, I became more aware that food affected how I felt, and soda was one of the things that made me feel “off.” I never developed much of a taste for soda, and didn’t really like it all that much, so dropping it completely wasn’t a big deal.
Fast forward to my own motherhood journey, and we haven’t seen much of a need to introduce it to our little family. Because what every child and adult needs is a highly sweetened beverage, right? I don’t think so. A high school friend lost a significant amount of weight once he dropped the huge cup(s) of soda he consumed on a regular basis.
 
So you can understand why I am not a huge fan of soda.
 
But I don’t agree with the ban on single servings of soda over 16 ounces that was supposed to take place recently, but then was ruled “illegal.” The battle over soda continues, and it will be interesting to see what happens in New York.
 
Here is where I am. I don’t support the soda ban despite my personal decision to avoid all soda. Why would someone who would encourage any friend to drop the soda habit completely (let alone drink the mega cups of soda), not support such a “health promoting” law?
 
I just don’t think the government’s job is to step in and decide how much sugar we should consume. It’s that simple for me.
 
Now, I know this is a complex issue. Most Americans don’t have a problem with safety measures being put in place to ensure that bad bacteria isn’t running rampant in restaurants or slaughterhouses. Most Americans don’t have a problem with health and safety measures being put in place at food factories and grocery stores. This is the government stepping into our food market and putting regulations in place.
 
And, I can almost feel like a hypocrite for feeling this way about the soda ban since I would support genetically modified foods being banned from growing in America in most, if not all cases. The difference for me is its ability to crossbreed and infect nearby crops (including organic ones) putting the integrity of all food grown here in question.
 
So, I know that this is a complex issue, and that it’s not as simple as “the government shouldn’t tell us what to sell or eat in America” since we all allow and support regulation to a certain degree.
 
But I have to wonder, if we give the government too much power in our food market, what decisions would they make in the future? Would they tax our butter and meat (as a traditional foodie, I believe that grass-fed, better-than-organic beef and butter can be part of a healthy diet)? What other decisions would they make in the future that were based on politics rather than the best interest of the people of America? These are the questions that loom large for me.
 
In the end, I’d rather have the right to buy a large cup of soda than lose other important rights in the food market. 

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

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Comments: 2
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anonymous
Sarah Mar 14 2013 at 12:14 PM
You realize that the government is already completely in control of our food market right? The FDA and USDA, who literally tell us what we can and can not eat, are government organizations. Saying that you are afraid of giving the government too much power might be one of the most naive things I've ever heard. And like Aaron said, they aren't 'making decisions' based on politics, it's based on the burden that obesity and type 2 diabetes place on our economic system. Therefore
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their decisions are primarily based on the well being of our national economy and health.
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anonymous
Aaron Mar 13 2013 at 9:38 AM
Maybe an outright ban isn't the best way to go, but I certainly do feel a tax on sodas or other beverages/foods that have excessive amounts of sugar is justified. Many people support taxes on things like cigarettes because of the health burden they place on society as a whole. The same can be said about foods and beverages that have excessive amounts of sugar in them. We all pay for each others' health care in some way or another. So there is absolutely a higher burden placed on everyone
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by those who choose to consume high sugar content food and beverages. The good that has come of this soda ban though is that it has started the conversation about something that was largely not part of public debate.
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