New York considering banning salt in restaurant kitchens—no, really
Big Brother is watching, and his name is Felix Ortiz. The New York lawmaker has introduced a bill that would forbid chefs from adding salt to their dishes in an effort to reduce consumers’ sodium intake. Instead, diners would add their own salt at the table. “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,” Ortiz told Nation’s Restaurant News.
Not surprisingly, the proposed ban on flavour isn’t getting much support from restaurant associations and public interest groups, both saying that a salt ban solves bupkis. Grub Street notes that the bill is “insane,” citing its $1,000 fine for “each use of salt.” How will this be enforced? Will there be a sodium czar assigned to monitor the state’s 20,000 restaurants? Can diners sue an establishment for a salt overdose?
This sort of bill would never fly in Toronto—we’re too fond of poutine, charcuterie, flavour and common sense. New York, we love you, but you’re bringing us down. We learned earlier this week that a chef down there is serving human breast milk cheese, and that Susur Lee is wishing New Yorkers were more adventurous. This stranger-than-fiction bill is making us wonder what has happened to the culinary capital.
• N.Y. lawmaker seeks to ban salt in restaurants [Nation’s Restaurant News] • Insane Bill Would Ban Salt in Restaurants, Impose $1,000 Fines [Grub Street]
