According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “ The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in an effort to reduce the amount of sodium used in restaurant and prepared foods, is debuting its long-awaited National Salt Reduction Initiative today.”

“The goal of the program, which is voluntary and not mandated like menu labeling, is to cut the levels of sodium in restaurant and prepackaged foods by 20 percent over the next five years. The initiative, which is expected to cull participation from chain and independent restaurants alike, has been in the works for the past year and is a partnership between New York City’s Board of Health, 17 national health organizations and 26 cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.”

Read more: http://www.nrn.com/breakingNews.aspx?id=377996&menu_id=1368#ixzz0cPvvlWOL