It’s official! New Yorkers aren’t able to make decent decisions on what they eat. Well, that’s the mayor of the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio, thinks. It seems he is following in his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg’s, footsteps. Bloomberg’s public health policies targeted trans fats, soda and smoking. In addition, he required calorie counts on restaurant menus. NYC’s chain restaurants must use warning symbol for high-sodium items.
It’s official! New Yorkers aren’t able to make decent decisions on what they eat. Well, that’s the mayor of the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio, thinks. It seems he is following in his predecessor, Michael Bloomberg’s, footsteps. Bloomberg’s public health policies targeted trans fats, soda and smoking. In addition, he required calorie counts on restaurant menus. NYC’s chain restaurants must use warning symbol for high-sodium items.
The symbol, a saltshaker in a black triangle, warns diners that the item in question contains more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium, which is the recommended daily maximum. Early estimates are that roughly 10% of menu items will have the warning symbol.
This rule was approved in September, along with a requirement that these restaurants post a clearly visible statement that warns diners of the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease associated with high-sodium diets. However, the new rules only apply to those restaurants with 15+ locations around the country, in addition to concession stands at some movie theaters and ballparks. Breaking the rule brings a $200.00 fine.
Experts claim that Americans are way overdoing it when it comes to sodium intake. They also point the finger at chain restaurants as being a major culprit. Data suggests that the average American takes in about 3,300 milligrams of sodium per day, a full 1,000 milligrams more that the recommended daily allowance.
NYC’s health commissioner, Dr. Mary T. Bassett, said she hopes other cities will follow the Big Apple’s lead in fighting heart disease. She also stated that heart disease is “the leading cause of death in the United States and in our city.”
Of course, the rule has come under criticism. The National Restaurant Association (NRA, not to be confused with the other NRA) has filed suit alleging that the rule puts a burden on small businesses. NRA spokesperson Christin Fernandez said, the rules go “too far, too fast for New York’s restaurant community.”
OK, I have an issue with this rule, just as I did with Bloomberg’s rules. No, I’m not pro-heart disease, etc., but I am pro-personal responsibility.
I don’t feel that it’s government’s responsibility to tell us how to eat. Unless one lives under a rock, it’s very clear that excess sodium is bad for one’s health. Likewise, excess just about everything else. We’re adults, not children.
Ask anyone with a smart phone to Google the last time Kim Kardashian brushed her teeth and they’ll have an answer for you in 0.37 seconds. But we need government to tell us what to eat and not eat? That’s ridiculous. In fact, it ranks right up there with the ridiculousness that was suing fast-food restaurants because their food made you fat when that’s all you ate for 30 days straight.
I’m not suggesting that government simply abandon health warnings. Some warnings are necessary to prevent serious injuries. However, I cannot support governmental interference in issues that should be a matter of common sense.
The other gripe I have with these rules is that they only apply to chain restaurants. As though I couldn’t walk into the French restaurant of my choosing in NYC and consume enough fat and sodium in one meal to last me for two days. If we have to have such rules, all restaurants should be affected.
I’ll hop down off my soapbox now. Ever since I mentioned it above, I can’t help but wonder if I really could Google the last time Kim K brushed her teeth…
EDIT: No, I can’t find the last time she brushed her pearly whites. However, it only took 0.65 seconds to learn that she and hubby Kanye each use toothbrushes with a $220 price tag.
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