Howard Countians celebrating the Fourth of July at Columbia's Lakefront this year can complement classic Independence Day fare such as hot dogs and hamburgers with a low-calorie side of reduced-fat chips or a pack of vegetables – and wash it all down with a Diet Coke.
On Friday, vendors running booths at the county's flagship fireworks event will have to comply with new regulations on their food and drink offerings for the first time since Howard County Executive Ken Ulman passed an executive order to ban sugary drinks and restrict other junk food in county buildings and at county-sponsored events.
According to the regulations, 50 percent of packaged food offered at county events must contain 200 calories or less per portion. Non-diet cold drinks must contain 40 calories or less, and diet drinks may only contain five calories and constitute only 33 percent of a vendor's beverage offerings.
Some woman should demand to be able to buy a full-strength Coke, yelling about her "right to choose".
