A court hearing was held Wednesday on the validity of a challenge raised by groups including the NAACP and the Hispanic Federation that the city's plan to limit the size of sugary drinks this spring will harm businesses owned by people of color and curb freedom of choice in low-income communities.

There is not set timeline for a ruling.

The groups joined beverage companies in an effort to stop the Department of Health's ban, which was passed by the city Board of Health in September and is expected to go into effect on March 12.

City officials and health experts say the regulation, which bars restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses from selling sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces, is a pioneering move to fight obesity.