Consumers Oppose Limits on Soda Size

supermarketnews.com DATAPOINTS CONSUMERS OPPOSE LIMITS ON SODA SIZE Most consumers surveyed in a recent poll – 67% – said they do not support a proposal to restrict the size of sweetened beverages in New York City restaurants and other venues. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg certain beverages to 16 ounces in an effort to promote a more healthful diet and curb obesity. The poll tallied 1,305 responses subject to the policy, caloric consumption per beverage would from the SupermarketGuru Consumer Panel. The plan could have the effect of reducing calorie consumption, however, according to research conducted by two New York University doctors. In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine last week, Dr. Brian Elbel of the NYU School of Medicine and Dr. Jonathan Cantor of the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service said their analysis found that if 100% of consumers switched to 16 oz. drinks instead of a beverage proposed limiting decline by 63 calories. SOURCE: SupermarketGuru Consumer Panel, NYU research Will limiting soda serving sizes decrease consumption? Do you support capping sugary beverage serving sizes at 16 oz.? Don't know 3% Would you support a tax on sugary beverages including sodas? Don't know Don't know 7% 9% Yes Yes 24% 30% No Yes No 67% 37% No 68% 56% SOURCE: SupermarketGuru Consumer Panel SOURCE: SupemarketGuru Consumer Panel SOURCE: SupermarketGuru Consumer Panel Trends in Adult Obesity in NYC 94.00 Increase in percentage of adult New Yorkers diagnosed with diabetes between 2002 and 2010. 2003 SOURCE: NYC Community Health Survey 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 SOURCE: NYC Board of Health "It seems that even if portion sizes were capped, consumers would still search for their soda fix." – PHIL LEMPERT, SN contributing editor and CEO of The Lempert Report and SupermarketGuru.com of consumers would have to buy 32 oz. of soda (two 16 oz. cups)* to increase calories per customer 48% of Americans Drink Soda Daily (% who say they drink this many glasses per day) SOURCE:NYU research. "Instead of a beverage subject to the policy. 52% 62% POTENTIAL CALORIE REDUCTIONS % CUSTOMERS SWITCHING FROH LARGER SIZE TO 16 OZ. BEVERAGES *CALORIES SAVED PER CUSTOMER 28% Of drinks bought in last 2 years would have been 100% 63 50% <20 9% subject to the new policy 7% 4% 30% 4 or more * Assuming the rest bought two 16 oz. beverages, or 32 oz. total. SOURCE:NYU research SOURCE: Gallup News Service national poll of 1,014 random adults SOURCE: NYU research