Transcript for NYC Super-Sized Soda Ban Halted by Judge

Now to the surprise decision that stopped the supersized drink ban, the entire country was watching it. The ban against sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces was set to go into action today in new york city. At the last minute a judge struck down the controversial new rule. Abc's gio benitez is here with the latest. A lot of eyes on this. Good morning, robin. So you see how far reaching it would have been, this is a standard 20-ounce bottle of soda. Had the law gone into effect today you wouldn't be able to buy this at most food establishments in new york city. This morning, new yorkers won't have to make that cataclysmic change of ordering only small sugary drinks. Just hours ago, they were bracing for the big drink apocalypse. This is one of the last ones. The last day. Reporter: Then a stunning reversal late monday, a state judge striking down that ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. The judge siding with outraged soda company and businesses saying "the prohibition has the potential to be more troubling than sugar-sweetened beverages." He said it was too arbitrary because large drinks could still be sold at supermarkets and convenience stores but not at restaurants, movie theaters, corner delis or sports arenas. Some businesses had already spent big money on changes dumping super-sized cups for smaller ones and dunkin' donut has launched a whole campaign with these fliers and the syrup for your coffee, dunkin' donuts would have given it to you separately and you would have had to pour it in yourself. Mayor bloomberg whose health crusade calling new york a nanny state fired back. In the moon "time," 70,000 americans will die from obesity. 5,000 here in new york. Reporter: How much sugar is in a glass of soda? Well, in 16 ounces you'll find the equivalent of 27 cubes of sugar. But some new yorkers say having the freedom to choose their own drinks is, well, sweet. Good. Reporter: Good. People should make their own decisions. Reporter: As you saw mayor bloomberg promises to appeal the judgcision. Meanwhile, the beverage association says it's time to put this law behind us. Robin, george? All right, gio, thank you.

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