About the AMAThe American Medical Association is the premier national organization dedicated to empowering the nation’s physicians to continually provide safer, higher quality, and more efficient care to patients and communities. The gradual implementation includes both two- and 10-year target goals.
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A 2013 report from the Institute of Medicine stopped short of advocating a goal of 2,300 milligrams per day after a committee reviewed recent research. That number has stayed steady over the years. High sodium consumption is blamed for the fact that 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Up to 75 percent of sodium that ends up on the plates of unsuspecting Americans comes from processed and prepared foods.
The new targets cover a wide variety of processed and packaged foods. The guidelines propose average sodium amounts for categories of foods, and also upper limits for individual foods. “Yet sodium levels are high before food reaches the kitchen or table”, they added. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sodium in a slice of white bread ranges from 80 milligrams to 230 milligrams. “If you’re in the general population, I can’t support the widespread recommendation to reduce sodium intake without better science”. And some have suggested that, at least for some Americans, too little salt can do as much damage as too much salt. Sodium is sometimes used for leavening, texture, or for safety reasons to prevent microbial growth. “In addition, availability and feasibility depends on many factors, such as consumer expectations, the type of food, the product’s taste profile and the restaurant’s format”.
“The first thing you can do is taste your foods before you add salt to it, that way you cannot get extra sodium, and you’ll eventually learn to like the foods without the salt”. Wal-Mart, ConAgra Foods, Nestle and Subway restaurants say they have achieved major sodium reductions in their products. The Grocery Manufacturer’s Association said “we believe additional work is needed to determine the acceptable range of sodium intake for optimal health”, but said it would work with the FDA on sodium reduction targets.
The guidelines were delayed for several years amid the backlash from the food industry. CSPI President Michael F. Jacobson said he was disappointed that the guidance is voluntary and that FDA simultaneously denied CSPI’s petition for mandatory limits. FDA said the short-term targets, which seek to decrease sodium intake to about 3,000 mg per day, are readily achievable, and many foods, such as top-selling pretzel products, have already met the short-term target.
The food industry is likely to challenge the FDA’s targets.
Some companies have anxious that the guidelines are more warning than suggestion. A new administration will be likely be tasked with making them final, as they could take a year or more to complete.
Food manufacturers won’t be forced to adopt them by law, according to the guidelines published Wednesday. Excess sodium raises blood pressure and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
“Americans should be extremely skeptical”, the group said in a release. Depending on the topic, it will stay open from 90 – 150 days.
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