NYC Board of Health Considers Salt Warnings for Certain Restaurant Fare

The New York City (NYC) Board of Health has reportedly agreed to
consider a proposed amendment to Article 81 of the NYC Health Code
that would require food items containing more than 2,300 milligrams of
sodium to be singled out on menus and menu boards with a salt-shaker
icon and an accompanying warning statement.

The proposed initiative would affect restaurant chains with more than
15 locations nationwide, and the mandated warning would state that the
“sodium content of this item is higher than the total daily recommended
limit (2,300 mg). High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and
risk of heart disease and stroke.” Health officials assert that the average
NYC adult consumes about 3,200 mg of salt daily (40 percent more than
the recommended daily limit) and that restaurant and processed foods
are the greatest sources of dietary sodium. If adopted, the warnings
would take effect on December 1, 2015, and reportedly apply to about 10
percent of menu selections offered by chain restaurants covered under
the proposal. Violators of the regulation would face $200 fines. See BBC
News and Associated Press, June 10, 2015.

Issue 568