NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5207A
SPONSOR: Reyes TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring chain
restaurants to label menu items that have a high content of sodium
PURPOSE OF BILL:
To require chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high
content of sodium.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the public health law by adding a new section 1358 as
it relates to chain restaurants and the sodium content of menu items.
The bill requires chain restaurants to place a sodium warning icon next
to any standard menu item that exceeds the daily value for sodium. In
this section terms such as chain menu developer, chain restaurants,
daily value, food service establishment, menu or menu board, and stand-
ard menu item are defined. The department of health shall develop an
icon with accompanying text to indicate high sodium and shall publish
guidance explaining the requirements of the section and how businesses
can comply. This section also establishes reporting requirements,
violations, and exemptions. Non-compliance of this section shall be
subject to a civil penalty of up to $250 for each location that is in
violation of the section.
Section 2 provides a severability clause.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that a person
consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. However, Americans eat on
average about 3,400 mg of sodium per day. High sodium intake is one of
the greatest food-related health problems in the nation, contributing to
health problems such as high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
Studies have shown that the vast majority of dietary salt comes from
processed foods and foods eaten outside of the home, such as food served
at restaurants.
While several companies have voluntarily made efforts to reduce salt in
table foods, the FDA continues to press the food industry to reduce
sodium content. This bill seeks to reduce the daily sodium intake of New
Yorkers by requiring the labeling of restaurant items which exceed the
recommended daily value for sodium as recommended by the FDA. With these
new guidelines, New Yorkers can make more informed choices about foods
to order for themselves and their families.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020: A3871A Ortiz / S49030A Rivera
2020-2021: No Same-As / S2532 Rivera
2021-2022: A8860-8 Reyes /S2532B Rivera
2023-2024: A6529A Reyes / S4890A Rivera
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
