Burger.jpg

Patrons at chain restaurants will now be able to see whether a menu item, like a burger and fries, has more than the daily recommended amount of salt. (Photo courtesy of Applebee's)

This icon will appear next to menu items at chain restaurants with 2,300 mg or more of salt. (Courtesy of NYC Health Department)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Lay off the salt.

That's what New York City health officials have been saying to New Yorkers since last September, and beginning Monday, the city can start issuing fines to chain restaurants that don't display a warning symbol for menu items with high salt content.

Last week, the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court lifted a ban put in place by a court after the rule went into effect in December.

Now, the city can start fining restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide that don't display the salt shaker symbol next to menu items with 2,300 milligrams of sodium -- about a teaspoon of salt -- or more. Patrons can still buy the item, but the restaurant must make it clear the menu item contains more sodium than the total daily recommended limit.

High salt intake has been attributed to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Some chains, like TGI Friday's, Applebee's and Subway, already include the salt shaker icon on its menus.

The city Health Department, whose Board of Health passed the rule last fall, said an estimated 3,000 chain restaurants in the city would be affected by the rule.

The National Restaurant Association has opposed the rule and said it would continue to challenge it in court. It is concerned changing menus will be a burden to restaurant owners, who will have to pay to update them.

Noncompliance would cost restaurants a $200 fine and a possible loss of their city permits.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has supported the rule, urging New Yorkers to "order something else" if the salt shaker icon appears next to a menu item.