Official targeting salt in N.Y. eateries

NEW YORK, March 11 (UPI) -- A New York state assemblyman says restaurants throughout the state should not be allowed to use salt in the preparation of food.

The New York Post said Thursday State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, a Democrat from Brooklyn, has introduced legislation that would only allow salt to be added to restaurant food by the diner at their table.

"In this way, consumers have more control over the amount of sodium they intake, and are given the option to exercise healthier diets and healthier lifestyles," the bill from Ortiz reads.

Ortiz said by not allowing restaurant cooks to add salt to prepared foods, residents throughout New York would have a better chance of limiting their sodium intake to the recommended daily intake of 2,300 milligrams.

"The fact is, (salt use) brings some ramifications regarding heart disease" and other health problems, the assemblyman said.

Ortiz told the Post his legislation does not contain a defined fine structure as of yet.