Take this one with a large grain of salt.
Make that, salt substitute.
Mayor Bloomberg’s overzealous “we will make you healthy” crusade has found an ally in Albany — in the person of Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.
The Brooklyn Democrat wants an absolute ban on salt “in any form” in the preparation of food in restaurants.
Not one grain, not one shake.
The proposed penalty?
A fine of up to $1,000.
True, too much salt can lead to high blood pressure. But not even the biggest health-crusade fanatic worth his, er, salt would suggest staying away from all salt.
Heck, you’d die without it.
No wonder even Mayor Mike thinks Ortiz’s bill is “ridiculous.”
(Ortiz now maintains that “if salt is a functional component of the recipe, by all means, it should be included.” But that’s not what his bill says.)
Crazier yet, the bill lets you add all the salt you want to food that’s been served.
Frankly, this kind of zealotry really shouldn’t surprise. Not after Bloomberg’s health campaign — which includes calling on those same restaurants and food producers to voluntarily cut sodium content 25 percent over the next five years.
This time, though, never mind the salt police. Better to call the men in white coats. . . .