(February 25th, 2016, New York, USA) – Vital Strategies today welcomed a decision by the New York State Supreme Court to uphold a decision by New York City Board of Health to require chain restaurants to post salt icons on menus next to items that individually contain the full recommended daily limit (or more) of sodium. The rule also mandates that warnings are placed at the points where people place their orders. It is estimated that the average adult in New York City consumes nearly 40% more than the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg.
José Luis Castro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Strategies, said: “We applaud this decision and congratulate the New York City Board of Health and Health Department for leading the United States in the effort to lower sodium consumption, which is linked to increased blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The decision is a victory for common sense. It creates an environment that empowers people to make healthy choices.
“The sodium warnings will help to save lives. They represent the kind of public health policymaking that cities, states, and countries should be developing to reduce the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We hope that New York City’s example will be followed across the United States and globally.”
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies envisions a world where every person is protected by a strong public health system. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. Vital Strategies was formed when The Union North America and World Lung Foundation joined forces. It is an affiliate of The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
For more information, please visit vitalstrategies.org or Twitter @VitalStrat
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Tracey Johnston, Vital Strategies, at +44.7889.081.170 or tjohnston@vitalstrategies.org