New York City Can Enforce Salt Warnings On Menus, Court Says

A court recently required eateries to alert consumers on their food items with high salt content. Chains such as Applebee's, TGI Fridays, and Subway already started including the saltshaker in a triangle icon in their menu - with the explanation that items bearing such symbol have more than the required daily limit of salt as recommended by nutritionists.

However, not all establishments are happy about the idea. According to The New York Times, chains, as well as trade group National Restaurant Association said it will challenge the court rule that was already approved by the board of health last year.

NRA spokeswoman Christin Fernandez said in a statement quoted by the New York Post, ​"Today's decision denying our Motion for a Preliminary Injunction will force the men and women that own New York City's restaurants to start complying with this unlawful and unprecedented sodium mandate before the court has the chance to rule on the merits of our appeal." She also said that the group is looking forward a fair opportunity to make their case on behalf of New York restauranteurs.

Dr. Mary T. Bassett, The health commissioner emphasized on the importance of the alert, saying that this will help ensure that New Yorkers have all the information they need to make better decisions of the food they put in their mouths. After all, excessive amounts of salt in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, which is also a risk factor for health disease and stroke. New Yorkers already consume considerably large amounts of salt, because they are present even in sweetened food and drinks, including the likes of salted caramel milkshakes.

To go around this decision, some chains have already modified their menu to reduce salt content and avoid having to place the symbol on their menu.

The fine for not complying with the menu labeling is not large - it's only at $200. However, Thomas Merrill of the general counsel at the health department said that restaurants could risk losing their permits if they do not follow the requirement.