National Automatic Merchandising Association Joins Coalition Against Proposed New York Soda Restrictions

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has joined New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a coalition formed to oppose Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg’s ban on the sale of sodas in excess of 16 ounces.

In joining the coalition, along with related associations, including the American Beverage Association, NAMA reinforced  its recent statement: “As the nation’s largest association representing the $42 billion vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries, we strongly oppose the proposed policy in New York City banning sweetened beverages in larger than 16 ounce packages. Quite simply, proposals like this distract from real solutions to help keep consumers healthy. 

“Members of NAMA offer millions of American consumers every day exactly what they want: a choice in the selection of their snacks and beverages. Restricting consumer choice through public policy is not a viable solution. In fact, sugar-sweetened beverages play a small and declining portion of the American diet – just 7 percent of total calories. With 93 percent of our calories coming from other foods and beverages, the proposed policy has missed the mark. Our NAMA members will continue to focus on educating our consumers on “better for you” options and perhaps more important, delivering a choice for our consumers in their snack and beverage selections, in the most convenient, affordable, reliable way possible.”

For more information on the coalition, please visit http://www.nycbeveragechoices.com