Salt Content Labeling Rule Takes Effect In Big Apple

The latest in New York City’s series of regulatory attempts to get its citizens to eat more healthfully took effect earlier this month. Chain restaurants are now required to tell diners – via a salt-shaker image on menu items – that the food contains more than the recommended limit of 2,300 mg, or a teaspoon, of sodium a day. Most Americans eat too much salt – an average of 3,400 mg a day – which increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. Part of the problem is salt-rich food served at restaurants. A New York cheddar and bacon burger at TGI Friday's contains 4,280 mg, for example. But restaurant groups and salt producers say the city is overreaching. They are expected to challenge the new regulation in court.