Prohibits the use of salt by restaurants in the preparation of food by restaurants

BILL NUMBER:S3597

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the use of salt in the preparation of food by restaurants

Purpose or general idea of bill

To prohibit restaurants from using salt when preparing customers' meals. Customers will have the discretion to add salt to their own meal after it has been prepared.

Summary of specific provisions

The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-ccc, which would prohibit the use of salt by owner or operators of a restaurant when preparing food for consumption by customers.

Justification

This legislation will give customers the option to add salt after the meal has been prepared for them. In this way, consumers have more control over the amount of sodium they intake, and are given the option to exercise healthier diets and healthier lifestyles.

A report issued by the World Health Organization indicated that three quarters or more of the sodium intake in the United States comes from processed or restaurant foods, Studies have also proven that lowering the amount of salt people eat, even by small amounts, could reduce cases of heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks as much as reductions in smoking, obesity, and cholesterol levels. The study also stated that if everyone consumed half a teaspoon less per day, there would be between 54,000 and 99,000 fewer heart attacks each year and between 44,000 and 92,000 fewer deaths.

Prior legislative history

2010: A.10129/S.7113 - Held in Consumer Protection

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law.