existing fountain cups. Controversy As the launch of the Big Gulp line coincided with the onset of the obesity epidemic in the United States, 7-Eleven and other retailers that have similar fountain lines such as rival Circle K's Polar Pop line have received criticism over their size and enabling obesity. 7-Eleven has been so associated with such large drinks that Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sodas in New York City was frequently referred to as the 'Big Gulp ban'. While the proposal was never enacted, perhaps in response to the proposal 7-Eleven began phasing out the Big Gulp name in North America to generic 7-Eleven branded cups and sizes, with the Big Gulp name being minimized to the bar code on the cups denoting a fountain drink as opposed to a Slurpee or an iced coffee. This was eventually reversed due to 7-Eleven's acquisitions of Stripes and Speedway and wanting a universal cup design for the stores. References 7-Eleven American soft drinks Products introduced in 1966