The National Restaurant Association wasted no time going on the offensive after the New York City Board of Health voted last September to require chains to post labels next to particularly salty foods. Days after the rule went into effect in November, the NRA sued the board to block it, citing its successful fight against the notorious soda ban and claiming the label violates freedom of speech. The state judge the case was presented to, Justice Eileen Rakower, disagrees and brought the hammer down on the organization’s efforts. Dismissing the case, Rakower argued that “some people just love salty food,” and nothing, especially not some puny label or warning, is going to get between them and their pastrami. The rule requires that chain restaurants with 15 or more locations post warning labels next to dishes with at least 2,300 milligrams of salt, which is the daily recommended limit for adults; starting next month, the city will issue fines to businesses that don’t conform to it.
