New York State to Ban Salt?
The bill, A, 10129, introduced by State Assemblyman Felix Otiz, reads, in part, "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." The fine for doing so is set at $1,000.
Mind, the law likely does not go far enough if the purpose is to eliminate the consumption of salt entirely. Many foods are naturally salty, to some extent. Chefs add salt to enhance taste, to keep food from being too bland.
A coalition of chefs, restaurant owners, and customers calling itself "My Food, My Choice" has organized to oppose not only the salt ban, but also the transfat ban. One cannot but be utterly sympathetic to their plight. The spectacle of governments determining food recipes is an example of overreach that is almost awe inspiring to behold.
Fortunately it can only happen in a blue state, dominated by liberal Democrats. Most people, while acknowledging that things like transfats and salt can be bad for one, would much rather have the choice of what goes into their stomachs out of the hands of grasping politicians and bureaucrats. But this is a lesson of what happens when one elects politicians who think they know better than one does about dinner.
Below the Mason Dixon Line there is a more libertarian attitude toward food. Can one, for instance, imagine the Texas Legislature passing a law determining what can and what cannot be used for a barbeque dry rub? Or whether one can use a dry rub to begin with? One cannot imagine any politician, at least in a red state, being so foolish.
It would be like banning fried chicken in Georgia or gumbo in New Orleans. These are things that would not be imagined, not to mention tolerated.
Other states, with less enlightened governments than that of Texas, might not be so lucky. What will happen next? Massachusetts dictating what can go into clam chowder? Maine banning the boiling alive of lobster? Illinois reducing the size of deep dish pizza and mandating the use of low fat cheese?
No, one can only hope that the "My Food, My Choice" people stop the New York Legislature in its tracks. Bad ideas have a way of spreading, once they take root in a state of the union. And one must think of poor New Jersey. Imagine the wait times at restaurants in that state as desperate New York pour across the state line in search of food that doesn't taste like cardboard. Oh, the humanity.
Sources: Chefs Call Proposed New York Salt Ban 'Absurd', Arun Kristian Das, MyFox New York, March 11, 2010
My Food My Choice
Published by Mark Whittington
Mark R. Whittington is a writer residing in Houston, Texas. He is the author of The Last Moonwalker, Children of Apollo, Dark Sanction, and Nocturne. He has written numerous articles, some for the Washington... View profile
- Obtaining Background (Extra) Work in New York City Where and how an actor should submit their headshot and resume if they are interested in doing extra work in New York City.
- Coffee Shops Off the Beaten Path in New York City Coffee shops are a great way to take in the true feel of New York City. Coffee shops allow you a chance to sit down, rejuvenate, and people watch all at the same time.
- Top Three Vintage Clothing Stores in Manhattan, New York Vintage clothing stress in Manhattan, New York are a way of life on the East Coast. Vintage clothing stores are a Manhattan, New York source for new design inspiration as well cutting edge fashion in this huge and sty...
- Informal Wedding Dresses in New York, New York Informal wedding dresses can be found throughout New York, New York. Informal dresses come in all shapes and sizes in New York, New York. Design and fashion are at the most fabulous in the big apple.
- New York Yankees Tickets Options A Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in The Bronx, New York City, New York, the New York Yankees were established as the Indianapolis franchise of the Western League, originally a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds.
- Three Local Ithaca Dentists Reviewed: New York
- Cortland, New York: Visitors Guide
- Three Steakhouses in Ithaca, New York
- Campground Locations in Central New York
- Amsterdam/New York Exhibition of Drawings Van Gogh Made After He Vowed Never to Pa...
- Spanish Classes in New York, New York
- Vintage Wedding Dresses in New York, New York
|
|
7 Comments
Post a CommentA completely ridiculous response to a serious problem by the legislature. Yes, we have a serious problem with too much salt in highly processed foods. However, we require salt to live and banning it completely is missing the point. Education and transparency is the way to handle this.
I hope this bill doesn't pass. I can't imagine life without salt and there is so many options now, kosher, iodized, sea salt and even seasoned salt. If this bill passes, I'd be a criminal cause I would carry my salt with me!
Never mind that it's been proven that reducing Trans fat and sodium intake can save countless lives and dollars in health care costs. We could just include an option on the tax returns asking which of us would like to pay for the health care costs of the less conscientious eaters among us.
When we were teens, all my friends and I could talk about was how great it was going to be when we got out on our own. Even small children demonstrate an inherent push towards greater independence as they grow. I'll never understand what makes adults of a certain political persuasion embrace ideologies that tend to lessen their individual freedoms while granting greater levels of control over their lives to others. I already have parents. I have no need for a government interested in playing father knows best. When they're trying to tell us what we can and can't eat, it's obvious they've lost any sense of understanding the concepts of individual responsiblity and liberty. As a chef, I find it ironic that the party of choice wants to limit everyone's right to choose to sprinkle a little salt on their french fries.
It was hard enough to believe that they could actually ban smoking in bars, then resturaunts preparing food with trans fats... now salt too? What next, no more salt on McDonald's fries? The liberals are going to be placing themselves in serious jeapordy if they continue to over-reach like this. People don't like being told that they can't have something, even if it really is bad for them. I think this is going to blow up in their faces. At least, I hope it does.
Joan Rivers had a date drop dead at the restaurant Lutece. I wonder if the salt did him in?
Thank you for your submission. Your article has been featured on AC's news category.