Why did New York City’s proposed ban on oversized soft drinks fail in court?

In 2013, New York City’s proposal to ban the sale of soft drinks larger than 16 ounces was defeated in court because the city’s health board was found to have overstepped its authority.1

The legal challenge, led by the American Beverage Association, argued that the board exceeded the boundaries of its control over public health when it approved the measure. While the regulation was intended to address the significant health risks associated with high sugar consumption—such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease—the court ultimately ruled that the administrative body lacked the legislative mandate to implement such a restriction.1