BREAKING: New York Passes Sodium Warning Bill, Legislation Moves to Gov Hochul's Desk

ALBANY, NY (05/19/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, the New York State Assembly passed the Sodium Warning Bill (S428A/A5207A), legislation designed to strengthen menu transparency at restaurants statewide and help consumers make informed choices. Sponsored by Senate Health Committee Chair Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, the bill would mandate clear warning icons on chain restaurant menus for items that exceed the daily recommended sodium limit, marking a significant step toward reducing sodium intake and lowering New Yorkers' risk of chronic disease. The New York State Senate passed the bill earlier this month.

New York City already requires chain restaurants to alert diners about high-sodium menu items using clear warning icons, which data shows help to increase customer awareness and reduce sodium content at stores. Fast food restaurants are predominately concentrated in communities of color, exposing children and families to high sodium content, linked to some of New York's leading causes of death, including obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest commends the New York State Legislature for advancing nutrition transparency for communities across the state. High sodium intake remains a leading contributor to hypertension and heart disease, yet many chain restaurant meals contain excessive amounts of sodium without clear, accessible warnings at the point of ordering. This bill empowers New Yorkers to make more informed choices while encouraging restaurants to innovate and offer healthier lower-sodium options. We urge the Governor to protect public health and sign this bill into law," said CSPI Campaign Manager Dr. DeAnna Nara.

"I am incredibly proud that Assemblymember Reyes and my sodium warning bill has finally passed both houses. New Yorkers deserve to make informed decisions about their food when dining out with their families. I urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law and help provide New Yorkers with clear information about the food they are purchasing and consuming so that they can make healthy choices for themselves," said Senator Gustavo Rivera, prime sponsor of the Sodium Warning Bill.

"Today marks a victory for every New Yorker who deserves to know what's in their food. The passage of the Sodium Warning Bill is a critical step toward healthier communities and safer families, because transparency on the menu means better choices at the table. For too long, the absence of clear, accessible nutritional information has had devastating consequences, particularly for communities of color who face disproportionately high rates of diet-related chronic illnesses. This is not incidental; it is the direct result of systemic gaps in evidence-based consumer protection that this legislation begins to close. We urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law and make New York a national model for health equity," said Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., prime sponsor of the Sodium Warning Bill.

Today's Assembly passage of legislation that would require sodium warning labels on chain restaurants menus is a victory for the heart health of all New Yorkers," said Brianna Durkee, American Heart Association Government Relations Director. "High sodium intake is a leading contributor to high blood pressure-a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Clear, visible sodium warnings on chain restaurant menus will empower consumers to make more informed choices and help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across our state. We applaud the Assembly and Senate for prioritizing public health by passing this legislation this session and urge the Governor to sign this legislation promptly."

"For years, our coalition of faith-based and public health partners has advocated for greater nutrition transparency for New Yorkers. We thank Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Reyes for elevating community voices and advancing a policy that will help consumers make more informed decisions and support healthier communities across the state," said Robert Pezzolesi, MPH, ODHM, Convener of the Interfaith Public Health Network.

Each year, New Yorkers spend upwards of $40 million on healthcare for diabetes and hypertension. In a recent letter to Albany lawmakers, former New York State and New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett previously endorsed the Sodium Warning Bill as part of a larger food reform package to close health disparities.

BACKGROUND

Sodium Warning Bill (S428A/A5207A): Empowers New Yorkers to make informed choices when dining out. This bill requires chain restaurants to display warning icons next to menu items containing more than the daily recommended sodium limit of 2,300 milligrams. By providing clear, accessible information to diners, the legislation aims to reduce sodium intake across the population, help address rates of chronic disease, and improve public health outcomes.

Why Sodium Reduction Matters:

• Hypertension Epidemic: Over 4.5 million adults in New York report having hypertension, with 79% of those individuals relying on medication to manage the condition?.
• Excess Sodium in Diets: Restaurant foods, on average, have more sodium per calorie compared to foods purchased in stores, making dining out a significant contributor to excessive sodium intake??.
• Chronic Disease Burden: Excessive sodium consumption increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death and disability in New York.
• New York City's Leadership: The sodium warning icon implemented in NYC chain restaurants in 2016 led to increased consumer awareness and modest reductions in sodium levels in newly introduced menu items??.
• Consumer Behavior: Warning labels help diners identify high-sodium foods and choose lower-sodium alternatives, supporting long-term health benefits??.

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Posted Tuesday May 19, 2026 at 03:15 pm by Center for Science in the Public Interest
Last Updated Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 11:09 am