Central Dauphin School District has removed salt from the tables in its secondary school cafeterias this school year, and CD High School students are venting their displeasure on Facebook.com, the social networking Web site.
Despite the complaints, CD could be leading a trend. In recent years, schools have complied with federal regulations and state guidelines to limit fat, sugar and calories in school meals. Now they're turning their attention to sodium.
"Federal guidelines recommend no more than 11/2 grams of sodium [less than a teaspoon], and we do encourage schools to take the salt shakers off the tables, but we don't mandate it," said Margarita Maisterrena, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food and nutrition service.
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CD senior Alex Knapp bristled at the new rule.
"We understand where they're coming from with wellness, but our concern is, why can't we as students be trusted with the decision regarding our salt intake?" he said in a phone interview. "Why are they still providing us with soft pretzels, which are covered with salt?"
Some students bring salt packets from nearby restaurants, he said.
Limiting sodium intake is meant to decelerate growing rates of metabolic syndrome, in which high blood pressure, obesity and other factors contribute to heart disease, said associate director of food services Cindy Magee, a dietitian.
I'm all for this. Who salts their food anymore? Simple preventative measures now beat the heck out of illness and medical bills in 25 years. So just shaddap and do what you're told, kids. It's for your own good. You'll thank us later. Really.
Complaining about not having salt...why I outta.
There's a war on! Rationing and such!