Junk Food Companies Want Black and Latino Consumers the Most

Chicago alderman George Cardenas introduced a proposal in late July to tax soda drinks. A few years ago, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg attempted a similar plan, but going a step further by calling to ban soft drinks (over 16 ounces) from being sold in the city. Other cities have attempted similar measures, and one in Berkeley actually took effect this year. All of these plans have been proposed in the name of attempting to fighting obesity, diabetes, and creating better health outcomes for residents.

Beverage industry lobbyists, of course, are charged up for a fight against Cardenas’ soda-tax proposal and others like them, emboldened from defeating similar proposals in the past. The soda industry has consistently fought or bought off similar taxes and bans in plenty of other cities, often using the argument that their sugary drinks are not the culprit in poor health. Instead, say soda advocates, people should exercise more, or, get better educated, as Illinois Beverage Association Executive Director Jim Soreng recently said.