New York City Targets Salt Levels in Food

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New York City officials want the amount of salt in restaurant and packaged food reduced by 25 percent over the next five years in order to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart attack and stroke.

"We all consume way too much salt, and most of the salt we consume is in the food when we buy it," said Dr. Thomas Farley, the city health commissioner, The New York Times reported.

On Monday, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration will introduce a wide-ranging health initiative meant to encourage restaurant chains and food manufacturers to reduce the amount of salt in their products. New York officials say their plan has support from health agencies in other cities and states.

Under Mayor Bloomberg, New York City has launched other healthy living campaigns, including one targeting harmful trans fats in restaurant foods and another aimed at smoking, The Times reported.