Local Governments Can No Longer Restrict Food Or Beverages

Critics say that the food and beverage restriction ban in the budget signed by Gov. Scott Walker could undercut his own health department’s efforts.

New York City’s effort to ban large sodas was blocked by the courts. Any similar effort is now blocked in Wisconsin, signed into law Sunday as part of the budget.

The new law prevents municipalities from restricting sales of food or drink based on calories, size or other nutritional criteria. The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Health First Wisconsin are disappointed the provision was not vetoed.

Maureen Busalacchi directs Health First Wisconsin.

Busalacchi: “We need as many tools as possible to figure out what works best to reduce the rates of obesity in our state and local communities have long been a place where we can vet some of those things and figure out what works best.”

Busalacchi says a recently released state plan on nutrition, physical activity and obesity recommends strategies the new law forbids. For instance, cities and counties could not have written policies on what could be served at meetings. Nor could they regulate how cafeteria food served to workers is prepared.