Who should decide what we eat?

I read with interest an article in the New York Times that New York's Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, has become very influential in what New Yorkers are eating by legislating on how food should be prepared in restaurants and what should be served in schools, and even what type of food products stores should sell. This is apparently in an attempt to stem the ever increasing problem of obesity and diabetes.

Obviously food preparation and hygiene are important and should fall under the Health Department's code of practice, but is it appropriate for the Mayor to decide whether a store should sell 1% milk? His involvement has led to the changing of menus in schools, and restaurant chains having to post the calorific value of meals. I am sure that these many food related initiatives are intended to protect the well being of the citizens of New York, but surely people need to be given the opportunity to choose what they eat?

Most research agrees that there is a link between poverty and poor nutrition. However, there also seems to be a lack of understanding regarding nutrition in many socio-economic groups. Perhaps educating and informing would be a more acceptable approach than legislating?