FILE - This photo from Thursday, May 31, 2012, shows a display of various size cups and sugar cubes at a news conference at New York's City Hall. The city Board of Health is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday, July 24, 2012 on the proposal to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at city restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

NEW YORK | New York City’s health board is holding a public hearing on a proposal to ban restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries from serving giant-sized sugary drinks.

FILE – This photo from Thursday, May 31, 2012, shows a display of various size cups and sugar cubes at a news conference at New York’s City Hall. The city Board of Health is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday, July 24, 2012 on the proposal to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at city restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
FILE – This photo from Thursday, May 31, 2012, shows a display of various size cups and sugar cubes at a news conference at New York’s City Hall. The city Board of Health is scheduled to hold a hearing Tuesday, July 24, 2012 on the proposal to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces at city restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

The panel is considering a rule that would limit soft-drink cup and bottle sizes at food service establishments to no larger than 16 ounces.

Doctors say sodas and other sweetened beverages are a leading factor in the obesity epidemic.

One public health professor scheduled to speak at the hearing says soda in large amounts is toxic.

But the proposal has been ridiculed by people who say government has no right to tell citizens how much soda they can drink.

The beverage industry says the proposal is an unfair commercial intrusion.

A vote isn’t expected until September.