NYC Salt Reduction Initiative

In a Wall Street Journal opinion column last week, Eric Felten writes that in a move to reduce the consumption of salt, New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene launched the National Salt Reduction Initiative. The plan, which recommends limits on the amount of salt contained in packaged foods and restaurant servings, is intended for the city initially, and ultimately for the whole nation. Felten questions whether the city's efforts are misdirected, noting that the health department has distributed brochures on heroin safety without further moves to limit the drug's use. Felten also questions whether the city's move to limit salt consumption will eventually lead to limits on other things such as cream and sugar.

While I like the spirit of this policy I do not think it is the best way in changing eating habits. One of the first things I learned in ECON 101 is that supply will adjust to meet demand. Therefore, demand--in this case consumer demand--is a more important target. We can't fault companies from selling high fat and salt foods. Consumers ask for these items. Look at the Hardees Thickburgers. Everyone knows that the burger is a heart attack in a wrapper. But people still go and buy them up because they taste good. I am a believer in the American value of choice and do not believe it should be inhibited by government. But I recognize the real concern over chronic disease incidence rates in this country as well. Again, foods will be sold if people buy them, so the way to reduce unhealthy food supply is to bring awareness about ways to eat right that are tasty. Or one can create a system where high fat foods are priced out of the average person's budget. This would be a reversal of the current system, as health foods demand a higher price than other foods.