--- title: "“Anti-Bloomberg” Law Brings Food Regulation Debate Full Circle" id: "16547" type: "post" slug: "anti-bloomberg-law-brings-food-regulation-debate-full-circle" published_at: "2013-03-25T20:02:52+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:54:33+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/25/anti-bloomberg-law-brings-food-regulation-debate-full-circle/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/25/anti-bloomberg-law-brings-food-regulation-debate-full-circle.md" excerpt: "A new Mississippi law prevents cities and counties from limiting portion sizes, requiring calorie counts on menus, or implementing other food and drink regulations. In the wake of New York’s Big Gulp battle, associations had a full menu of reactions." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "food regulation" - "Legislation" - "public health" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » “Anti-Bloomberg” Law Brings Food Regulation Debate Full Circle When Governor Phil Bryant (R-MS) [signed Senate Bill 2687 last week (opens in a new tab)](http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-UMMPEdYXgdbNtrw_zvbkBlM0RQ?docId=a22ecba2395f4d3b9c376f4419496c36) , the measure known as “the anti-Bloomberg bill” became law. Associations inside and outside Mississippi—[the state with the highest rate of obesity in the nation (opens in a new tab)](http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/obesity-statistics-in-the-united-states.aspx) —are split in their view of the measure. > What it does do is prevent them from creating policy mandates for the sake of consistency and uniformity. “It is simply not the role of government to micro-regulate citizens’ dietary decisions,” Bryant wrote in a statement accompanying the bill signing. “The responsibility for one’s personal health depends on individual choices about a proper diet and appropriate exercise.” In a joint statement, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi said that the new law is a “setback that Mississippians cannot afford.” “We have many city leaders that are making great strides in creating healthier communities and the continuation of those programs could be at risk,” the [statement said (opens in a new tab)](http://www.wjtv.com/story/21724306/associations-not-satisfied-with-gov-bryants-view-on-ms-obesity) . “This law prohibits counties, cities, and elected bodies from … enacting ordinances or regulations pertaining to improving the health of its citizens.” But Mark Leggett, president of the Mississippi Poultry Association, said consumers shouldn’t face a mishmash of regulations that vary from one city or state to the next. “Don’t mess with the buffet,” he joked, according to the *Associated Press*. The Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association lobbied for the bill. “It doesn’t prevent local governments from promoting healthy foods,” Mike Cashion, executive director for MHRA, [told CNN (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/21/us/mississippi-anti-bloomberg-bill/index.html?hpt=hp_c1) . “What it does do is prevent them from creating policy mandates for the sake of consistency and uniformity.” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is still [in the midst of his own Big Gulp battle](http://associationsnow.com/2013/03/bloomberg-soda-ban-groups-score-big-court-victory/) , called Mississippi’s plan “ridiculous” but described the opposing opinion as part of the democratic process. “You can’t have it both ways,” he said [during his weekly radio morning show (opens in a new tab)](http://politicker.com/2013/03/bloomberg-slams-anti-bloomberg-mississippis-obesity-rate/) . “If you want democracy, then you’re going to have fits and starts. You’re going to have lots of input. You’re going to have dissenting views.” (MTAPhotos/Flickr) [Rob Stott](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Rob Stott is a contributing editor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/rob-stott/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#food regulation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/food-regulation/) [#Legislation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/legislation/) [#public health](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-health/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Powering Advocacy-Why PACs Matter for AssociationsNovember 20, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/11/20/associations-now-presents-powering-advocacy-why-pacs-matter-for-associations/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoUrban Land Institute- Project Recovery: Rebuilding Los Angeles After the January 2025 WildfiresSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/urban-land-institute-project-recovery-rebuilding-los-angeles-after-the-january-2025-wildfires/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F03%2F25%2Fanti-bloomberg-law-brings-food-regulation-debate-full-circle%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !