A New York appellate court temporarily stopped a rule mandating salt warnings on several restaurant menus before it was supposed to be implemented. Considered as first-in-the-nation, the new rule requires chain restaurants to include a warning on menu items that are high in sodium.
On Monday, a court of appeals judge issued a temporary stay. After a justice ruled that chain restaurants in the city can be fined after March 1 for failing to post sodium warnings on menu items as reported by NPR, the National Restaurant Association had asked for the stay last week. Those who don't comply with the labeling rule will be fined of up to $600.
The new rule, which was enacted in December, calls for fast-food chains and restaurants with more than 15 outlets nationwide to place triangle icons with a salt-shaker image on menus next to items that has more than the recommended daily limit of salt or sodium. The Guardian reported that a judge ruled last week against the restaurant associations' challenge to the rule. The association filed for the stay of enforcement while the appeal is still ongoing.
Reuters reported that a full panel of the court will decide probably later this month. A few years ago, New York also banned transfats in certain restaurants and required food chains to post calorie counts. In 2014, a proposed rule that bans companies who are selling sugary drinks that contain more than 16 ounces or 0.5 liters of sugar was rejected by the state's highest court.
New York's Department of Health said that the warnings are vital information which people needs and that it is confident that the rule will be implemented soon. The department told reporters that they will continue 'to warn chains' if they do not follow the rule, however, will not issue violations while it is still placed on hold.
