A federal judge has given San Francisco the go-ahead to post warning labels on sugary drinks, rejecting the American Beverage Association's arguments against the ordinance.

U.S. District Judge Edward Chen refused ABA's request to block implementation of ordinance, which takes effect July 25, USA Today reported. The city will require health warning labels on printed ads, posters and billboards, but not TV commercials or packaging.

ABA argued that soda is being unfairly targeted by the ordinance, but Chen ruled that the warning labels convey accurate information and that the city had a reasonable basis for requiring the warnings given its mission to protect public health and safety. http://usat.ly/1Tm9C12

ABA along with two state associations asked the court to halt implementation of the ordinance. The ruling was a rare defeat for the association, which has been largely successful in blocking government attempts to reduce public consumption of sugary drinks, such as through implementing soda taxes.

San Francisco is only the first of what may be several fights this year for ABA. Efforts are underway in Philadelphia, Oakland, Calif., and Boulder, Colo., to implement soda taxes in each community, the news site Quartz reported. http://bit.ly/22hgJxM

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Activist investors launch new advocacy group
• Sports medicine group: D.C. is nation's fittest city
• Business groups crank up criticism of overtime rule
• Oil and gas groups bash new methane rules
• Business groups, consumer advocates clash on workplace wellness rules