Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends we consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, the average American eats closer to 3,500 mg a day. These newly proposed guidelines are being used in an attempt to lower the amount of sodium that the average American consumes on a daily basis.
Advertisement
The proposal marks the first time the FDA has taken a stance on sodium; however, it’s only a suggested reduction, and the finalized version of these guidelines may not be in place for more than a year.
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued draft guidance for public comment that provides practical, voluntary sodium reduction targets for the food industry. “Because the majority of sodium in our diets comes from processed and prepared foods, consumers are challenged in lowering their sodium intake themselves”.
According to a number of studies conducted in the past, consumption of an excessive amount of salt is associated with an increased risk of blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.
According to FDA, Americans consume nearly 50% more sodium than what most experts recommend. The targets are also meant to complement many existing efforts by food manufacturers, restaurants, and foodservice operations to reduce sodium in foods.
“Scientifically rigorous studies consistently find that lowering sodium reduces both blood pressure and cardiovascular disease”, said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some of these studies show that lowering salt intake by approximately 40 percent over the next 10 years could spare 500,000 lives and save nearly $100 billion in medical expenses. “Today’s announcement is about putting power back in the hands of consumers, so that they can better control how much salt is in the food they eat and improve their health”. The goal is to lower Americans blood pressure, which has been linked to too much salt in the diet.
The guidance would step down sodium levels in about 150 categories of those foods, including pizza, lunch meats, canned soup, breads, and snack items.
Advertisement
The FDA said that many food companies such as General Mills, Mars and Nestle have already reduced use of salt, but overall level of slat in food supply remains too high. If the industry followed the guidelines, the FDA said, that would help reduce that level to about 3,000 mg per day in two years, and 2,300 mg in a decade. “Success in cutting sodium consumption will require a holistic approach that includes actions by manufacturers, retailers and restaurants and that addresses consumer behaviours and preferences”.
