New Yorkers, Lawmakers Laugh Off 'Salt Assault' - wcbstv.com
NEW ROCHELLE (CBS) ― A New York assemblyman was taking heat Thursday for changes he wants to bring to the kitchen.
Brooklyn Democrat Felix Ortiz is sponsoring a bill that would -- get this -- ban restaurants from using salt, yes, salt, in the preparation of food.
Critics said even by Albany standards, the "salt assault" is half-baked.
"We'll put a little bit of salt on there with it," said Post Road Ale House chef Brian MacMenamin said.
He uses it a pinch at a time -- until he goes through five pounds of salt a week.
"To say no salt in the kitchen is ridiculous," MacMenamin said.
At the New Rochelle eatery McMenamin is ready to pepper Albany with questions after a proposal surfaced to ban salt from restaurant kitchens.
"A salt-cured ham, is that gonna be allowed? Are we gonna be allowed to have bacala? Are we gonna be allowed to have yeast-risen bread that needs salt to create texture?" MacMenamin said.
The Assembly bill says "no restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food. Violators could face fines up to a thousand dollars."
The sponsor said the goal is help New York kick the salt habit, which contributes mightily to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
"We will be able to probably reduce the death of 100,000 people as a result of reducing sodium of the food," Ortiz said.
If the bill passed the only salt allowed in restaurants would be on the table so diners could choose how much to use.
At famous Famiglia Pizza in White Plains most diners wonder if Albany is a few slices short of a whole pie.
"It's ludicrous. I think they're going down the wrong avenue," diner John Draventz said.
"I think Albany should concentrate on balancing the budget and fighting crime and never mind salt and taxing soda!" added diner Michael Weinberger.
"It's almost hard to have a serious conversation about something this silly," MacMenamin said.
McMenamin also said salt-sensitive diners have no trouble asking for low-sodium dishes.
And the salt ban sponsor's good intentions make for bad cooking. No one in Albany is giving the salt ban a lick of a chance of passing.
