With a goal of helping Americans live healthier lives, FDA has issued a draft guidance of its long-awaited voluntary sodium reduction goals that aims to pressure food manufacturers into cutting the salt in their products.
According to FDA, average sodium intake in the US is approximately 3,400 mg/day, almost 50 percent more than what most experts recommend. The draft short-term (two-year) and long-term (10-year) voluntary targets for industry are intended to help consumers gradually reduce sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day—about one teaspoon of salt—a level recommended by experts. The targets are also intended to complement many existing efforts by food manufacturers, restaurants, and food service operations to reduce sodium in foods.