New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz introduced a bill on Friday that would prohibit the use of salt in making foods at restaurants. Says the bill:
"No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food for consumption by customers of such restaurant, including food prepared to be consumed on the premises of such restaurant or off of such premises."
"Ortiz is one of New York’s more strident food cops, having already introduced strict restaurant menu labeling proposals in the past," notes the Consumer Freedom Foundation.
He's also following the cues of famous Nanny Stater Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who in January compared salt to asbestos:
"If we know there's asbestos in a school room what do you expect us to do?" Bloomberg shot back at reporters questioning his new initiative. "Say it's not our business? I don't think so. The same thing is true with food and smoking and a lot of things.
"Salt and asbestos, clearly both are bad for you," Bloomberg continued. "Modern medicine
thinks you shouldn't be smoking if you want to live longer. Modern medicine thinks you shouldn't be eating salt, or sodium."
The law proposes to fine some of the greatest restaurants in the world $1,000 per seasoning violation. Oughtta do wonders for the economy.
Chefs are none too happy about the prospect:
"The consumer needs to make their own health choices. Just as doctors and the occasional visit to a hospital can't truly control how a person chooses to maintain their health, neither can chefs nor the occasional visit to a restaurant," said Jeff Nathan, the executive chef and co-owner of Abigael's on Broadway. "Modifying trans fats and sodium intake needs to be home based for optimal health. Regulating restaurants will not solve this health issue."
