New York Tries to Shake the Salt

First came the healthy heart symbols on some menus. Then, many chains created sticker shock when they posted the calorie content of each item (a piece of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has not been required of restaurants nationwide– yet). Now, New York City is adding a tiny salt shaker symbol on menus starting Tuesday, Dec. 1, to try to make people aware of the high salt content in the meal they are ordering.

The black triangle was a while shaker in the middle is not a good symbol next to a menu item. It means that the dish contains 2,300 milligrams (about a teaspoon) or more of sodium. That is the traditional recommended limit for an adult to consume in an entire day (Newer American Heart Association guidelines recommend 1,500 mg) and the triangle is supposed to warn that the one item has MORE than that amount.

Many people order items, like salads, that they perceive to be a healthy choice. But, they will be surprised to see that salt shaker icon next to them because of their high sodium content. For example, Baja Fresh’s Shrimp Tostada Salad includes 2,500 mg, Applebee’s Grilled Shrimp ‘n Spinach Salad with regular dressing reportedly has 2,990 mg, Panera Bread’s Smokehouse Turkey Panini includes 2,590 mg, and Chipotle’s loaded chicken burrito has 2,790 mg of sodium.

The attempt to shake up people by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene goes into effect Tuesday is required on the menu of restaurant chains that have at least 15 locations in the U.S., even if only one is in New York. (This is a tougher standard that the ACA calorie one that applies to change with more than 20 locations, but NYC also made the calorie requirement 15 locations.) Additionally, the establishment must post an explanation of what the salt shaker icon means. It must read: “Warning: [This icon] indicates that the sodium (salt) content of this item is higher than the generally recommended daily limit of 2300 mg. High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and risk of heart disease and stroke.”

New York City is the first U.S. city to take this drastic step in an attempt to combat heart disease and stroke. But the health department cited a 2010 that found typical New York diets include 3,200 mg of sodium on average per day. The averages for Hispanics and blacks were even higher. The health code resolution notes that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the five boroughs that make up NYC. Given the established connection between a diet high in sodium and cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, the city decided to try and educate residents.

The city focused on retail food establishments because fast food is notoriously high in sodium and studies show bigger chain restaurants may not be any better. For example, a 2014 study examined more than 2,500 items from chain restaurants in the Philadelphia, Penn., region. The researchers found that the meals averaged 3,512 mg of sodium, which is more than 50 percent above the traditional daily recommended amount and more than double the Heart Association amount.

It will be interesting to see if other cities follow New York’s lead and try to shake up people about the salt content in their restaurants. But, like the calorie counts, it is more likely that people will note the warning and order their favorite items anyway.

Written and edited by Dyanne Weiss

Sources:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Notice of Adoption of Amendments to Article 81 of the New York City Health Code
New York Daily News: Required sodium warnings at NYC chain restaurants go into effect Tuesday
Newsweek: Warning to New Yorkers: There’s A LOT of Salt in That
Reuters: New York is first U.S. city with salt warning on restaurant menus