The New York State Supreme Court upheld on Wednesday a New York City rule requiring chain-restaurants to post salt icons next to food items with 2,300 milligrams or more of sodium – the total recommended daily limit. The rule also mandates that the sodium warning statement be posted in a location where customers place their orders.
New York is the first city in the country to require chain restaurants to post warning icons next to menu items that contain high levels of sodium. The sodium warning rule passed unanimously during Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s administration by the New York City Board of Health.
Restaurant chains with 15 or more sites nationwide have a March 1st deadline to comply with the new requirement before the possibility of receiving a fine. Chain such as Applebee’s, Subway, TGI Friday’s, and the Regal Entertainment Group movie theaters have already begun to implement the rule.
“If your meal has so much sodium that it merits a salt shaker on the menu, then – for the sake of your health — order something else,” said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “Too many New Yorkers are at risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke due to high sodium intake, and this salt shaker will help New Yorkers make better decisions about their diet — ultimately leading to a healthier and quite possibly a longer life.”