NYC Salt Legislation Getting Out of Control

by Zachary Minot

Mayor Bloomberg's call to reduce the sodium in NYC's diet met some skepticism with the restaurant industry, but proposed legislation from New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz would outright ban the use of salt in food prepared in restaurants. Illustrating a base understanding of food preparation, Ortiz told Nation’s Restaurant News, “consumers have more control over the amount of sodium they intake, and are given the option to exercise healthier diets and healthier lifestyles."

The legislation calls for a $1,000 fine for each use of salt. It's hard to imagine something like this ever getting put into law, but it's certainly worth monitoring.

Source: Grub Street

Image: Food Standards Agency

Comments

klane001 • 03/11/2010

Wow. Thats rediculous

lkacala001 • 03/15/2010

Is Big Brother watching

mythchef • 03/15/2010

george orwell here we come

garthur • 03/15/2010

This is unbeleivableProcessed food has such high amounts of sodium, sweetners, artificial everthing and a politician wants to control my use of the salt shakerHow will they enforce it? Send in the salt police? I think we have better things to look at in this country than governing salt usage by restaurant chefs. I can not add salt to my food at a guests request because I cook from scratch. It can not be removed from processed foodsI would never pay the fine so would I go to jail or would they seize the business?

haisoodewa • 03/15/2010

Today the New York Post quoted Bloomberg himself saying: "I think it's ridiculous...You have to have salt when you cook. I do. I use too much salt already myself. But also it makes a lot of foods, the way you cook them and bake them -- salt is a real ingredient. So I don't think that's the right thing to do." http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/mike_shakes_head_on_no_salt_bid_vHBMMQDSKHd4ZPQOxRFhkLixzz0iGVl6fKX

rcheramie001 • 03/15/2010

Singularly and absolutely, the most ridiculous idea ever to be even thought aboutThe constituents of Mr. Ortiz should vote him out for wasting time and energy on such a notionWhat an idiot

lchurch001 • 03/15/2010

After a dish comes out of the kitchen and the diner adds his own amount of salt is he also going to be fined? Come on New York get a life and don't go all big brother

bclarke001 • 03/15/2010

Frivolous/ridiculous, Mr. Ortiz should be blowing smoke somewhere, a man w/his talent should be able to figure that out easily? What a waste of legislation/$.

montreal • 03/16/2010

Clearly Felix Ortiz and company are ignorant about cooking AND have nothing better to do with their time. Feed them lifeless dinner for a week and they'll change their tune.

mwhite003 • 03/22/2010

Hey take the salt off the tables and see how the guests like that. If we can't trust the kitchen to do their job right then we are in for a lot of trouble. Chef's take a stand