CSPI Urges Adoption of New York City Sodium Labeling Proposal

Statement of CSPI President Michael F. Jacobson

Excess sodium in the diet, much of which comes from restaurant food, promotes hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.  The Center for Science in the Public Interest strongly supports New York City’s ground-breaking proposal to require warning icons on chain restaurant menus next to items that have a teaspoon or more of salt.   

Few if any of us would choose to put an entire teaspoon of salt on a given meal.  If a restaurant does that for us—supplying an entire day’s worth of sodium on one plate—consumers have a right to know.  Besides giving consumers the freedom to choose healthier options, this measure should inspire restaurant chains to offer a wider variety of items lower in sodium.   Getting trans fat out of restaurant food and putting calories on menus were controversial ideas before New York showed the rest of the country it could be done.  The sodium warning proposal at issue today will save the lives of New Yorkers and prompt other jurisdictions to adopt similar life-saving measures.  

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‘Thrive’ Sparkles on My American Farm Educational Site

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 29, 2015 – “Thrive,” the first soil and sustainability focused game offered on My American Farm, has been released by theAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Thrive is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or “STEM”-based and is aligned to follow several Next Generation Science standards. The game targets third- to fifth-grade students.

Through interaction with Thrive, players will gain an understanding of how farmers and ranchers care for the environment, as well as the important tools they use to help soil and water thrive on a farm.

Thrive can be played both in the classroom and at home. Information on numerous activities to accompany the game, such as creating a butterfly habitat and caring for the soil, also are provided.

The My American Farm educational resource is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, DuPont Pioneer. To take advantage of the free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit http://myamericanfarm.com.