Laws to make you healthier

[Linus]

Some laws being introduced are aimed at making you live healthier lives (e.g., ban on smoking in indoor environments, soda tax laws, etc.). Some of it is a plain ol' tax grab (the soda tax law will definitely raise a fair amount for gov'ts). That said, sometimes I think gov't miss their mark and really don't think about things beforehand. Case in point: a law that will ban ALL salt from being used in recipes in NY State.

Uh... whut!?

Source: UK Guardian (I only chose theirs because their print version was the easiest and their comment on salt amounts was relevant)
Over the past few years New York has gained a reputation for taking the health of its citizens seriously – or nannying them, depending on your point of view.

Now a member of the city's legislative assembly has gone a step further by introducing a bill that would ban the use of salt in restaurant kitchens.
Bill A10129 would forbid the city's chefs from using salt in any of their recipes. The ban's proposer, Felix Ortiz, a Democratic member from Brooklyn, says it would give consumers the choice about whether to add salt to their meal.

Restaurants trying to sneak a bit of sodium on to the plate would be fined $1,000 (£600) every time they were caught.

The idea of an outright ban, except for salt cellars on diners' tables, has led to raised eyebrows across the city, which prides itself on its cuisine. "If state assemblyman Felix Ortiz has his way," quipped the Daily News, "the only salt added to your meal will come from the chef's tears."
Tom Colicchio, who owns the restaurant Craft, told the paper: "If they banned salt, nobody would come here anymore."

Ortiz's bill comes on the back of a high-profile attempt by the city's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, to encourage New Yorkers to consume less sodium. The city estimates about 1.5 million residents already suffer from high blood pressure, which can be exacerbated by overconsumption of salt. In America as a whole, the average daily intake of 3,400mg is well above the recommended maximum of 2,300mg.

Bloomberg's campaign aims to cut the amount of salt in pre-packaged and restaurant food by a quarter, in five years. Unlike Bill A10129, however, it is purely voluntary.

I added emphasis to the section that is relevant. I think the issue is more that people are ADDING additional salt to meals, on top of what is required (and some recipes do require some salt for various reasons, including addressing issues of parasites and such. ) But I don't think this law really is addressing that and I can foresee the opposite effect happening.

[Apocalipstic]

I think this is yet another example of the government overstepping.

I do not think it is the government's place to try and force us to be healthier....It seems a slippery slope.

[NJFemmie]

One of the reasons I don't care to eat out that often is because I don't always know what they are putting in their foods. I'm on blood pressure meds, so I have to be diligent on sodium intake. (I'm not always so diligent, but I try, lol..)

I don't think it's a "bad" idea (as a general rule of thumb), but at the same time, I think it's a bit much in terms of government taxing/fines. I agree that it's not the government's place to dictate how we eat.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

One of the reasons I don't care to eat out that often is because I don't always know what they are putting in their foods. I'm on blood pressure meds, so I have to be diligent on sodium intake. (I'm not always so diligent, but I try, lol..)

I don't think it's a "bad" idea (as a general rule of thumb), but at the same time, I think it's a bit much in terms of government taxing/fines. I agree that it's not the government's place to dictate how we eat.

Maybe the law should be to better disclose what is in the food and have healthy options available?

[NJFemmie]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Maybe the law should be to better disclose what is in the food and have healthy options available?

I thought there was one - or is that just for labels? Even in that case, they manage to get around it - something might be labeled no salt added - but if you investigate the label, there are sodium sources disguised as "poly-bigasslongname-odium" or something like that, lol. They may not add more to it, but they fail to tell you there's sodium already in there.

When I cook at home, I know exactly what goes in it.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

I thought there was one - or is that just for labels? Even in that case, they manage to get around it - something might be labeled no salt added - but if you investigate the label, there are sodium sources disguised as "poly-bigasslongname-odium" or something like that, lol. They may not add more to it, but they fail to tell you there's sodium already in there.

When I cook at home, I know exactly what goes in it.

It must be by state. In TN menus do not have ingredients disclosed. I don't think I have seen that in KY, CA or NYC either. Maybe you have to ask for it?

I am allergic to peanuts and am always looking food not cooked in peanut oil and am amazed at how often serves have zero idea.

[Abigail Crabby]

While I'm an advocate of low sodium whenever possible I don't think the Govt needs to step in and take over for my ability to choose.

I'd rather they focus on stronger drunk driving and sexual predator laws.

For goodness sake!!!!

[Apocalipstic]

The more we let the governemt interfere......

[Dylan]

OK, just re-read, and the article says the bill would ban the use of salt in kitchens, but that salt shakers would still be available on tables.

Ergo, One could still have their gun AND their salt shaker...it just means The Kitchen can't point the gun nor the salt AT One

Dylan

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Dylan

OK, just re-read, and the article says the bill would ban the use of salt in kitchens, but that salt shakers would still be available on tables.

Ergo, One could still have their gun AND their salt shaker...it just means The Kitchen can't point the gun nor the salt AT One

Dylan

Ah thanks for the clarification!

Maybe they will delete MSG too while they are at it.

[Rockinonahigh]

OH CRAP!!!!! Yes,oh crap......if the gov really wanted to do something about helping ppl get more heathy u bet it would be doing something way diffrent that tax every dam thing .For one it would make it easer to go to a health club,join a gym,go to the ymca,join sports groups ect..ect with out the high fees that are paid to partisapate in any of the above.
I do know there are ways to take advantage of places to go to works out or be part of groups that do sports..if u r on disablity u can go to the y and if u make or your income is less than xyz u can join for a greatly redced fee or free...older folks can go to the counsil on ageing with simular oppertunities...often transportation is avalable to these places for free or next to it.
Also healthy food and how to fix food to be healthy is something most dont have a clue about...haveing easyer access to healthy food would be really great for ppl who cant get to a real grosery store insted of the local mom/pop fast food joint that charges way to much.
I know if the average person was in our goverment hopefuly some of this mess we are in wouldnt be happening...the rich get richer and the people who have less oppertunities have even less..Why..cause the gov wants it that way.Do u really think anyone or many(in the gov or rich ppl) would give up theire high life style to be like the average person whop bust azz to just get by?No,they bail out the car companys,banks and such but the rest of us jsut pray we can stay afloat and make it as best we can.

[TIMBERWOLF]

Originally Posted by Linus

Some laws being introduced are aimed at making you live healthier lives (e.g., ban on smoking in indoor environments, soda tax laws, etc.). Some of it is a plain ol' tax grab (the soda tax law will definitely raise a fair amount for gov'ts). That said, sometimes I think gov't miss their mark and really don't think about things beforehand. Case in point: a law that will ban ALL salt from being used in recipes in NY State.

Uh... whut!?


I added emphasis to the section that is relevant. I think the issue is more that people are ADDING additional salt to meals, on top of what is required (and some recipes do require some salt for various reasons, including addressing issues of parasites and such. ) But I don't think this law really is addressing that and I can foresee the opposite effect happening.

I grew up cooking without salt as my Dad didn't like it so my mom never used it,except you salted your food if you wanted it. I to this day have a hard time cooking with salt and WT has said my food is bland. I try but most time its not enough in there. Im getting better about going by the directions .........But really some of these laws are ridiculous .
TIMBER