Mayor Bloomberg yesterday defended his latest nanny initiative -- a controversial crackdown on salt -- by comparing the simple seasoning to killer asbestos in the classroom.

"If we know there's asbestos in a school room what do you expect us to do?" Bloomberg shot back at reporters questioning his new initiative. "Say it's not our business? I don't think so. The same thing is true with food and smoking and a lot of things.

"Salt and asbestos, clearly both are bad for you," Bloomberg continued. "Modern medicine thinks you shouldn't be smoking if you want to live longer. Modern medicine thinks you shouldn't be eating salt, or sodium."

The problem, of course, is that while medical scientists disagree about the wisdom of universal sodium reduction (the mayor's policy), no competent medical scientist would maintain "you shouldn't be eating salt or sodium."

The story points out that the battleground isn't the science, however:

Restaurant owners have a less scientific reason for disliking the crackdown: salt makes food taste good.

Some of the city's top chefs and restaurant owners yesterday had a spicy message for City Hall: Simmer down and stay out of our kitchens.

Noted chefs are quoted in strong opposition to the mayor's plan.