FDA Initiative to Reduce Sodium in the U.S. Food Supply

What’s the Problem with Sodium?

Salt. It makes food taste good and is also used as a preservative. And while there’s nothing like a salty, crunchy chip and dip for your tailgate or the occasional fast food burger, most of us are getting too much salt in our diets on a regular basis. Because of this, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is working to reduce the amount of salt in the American food supply.

The FDA’s Sodium Reduction Initiative

The FDA’s draft of their voluntary initiative to reduce the amount of sodium in the U.S. food supply, updated on August 15, 2024, outlines the goals for manufacturers of processed, packaged and prepared foods, including restaurants. According to the FDA, 90% of Americans are eating more sodium than is recommended, which is no more than 2,300 milligrams per day. Currently, the average intake is 3,400 mg per day, and most of it—over 70%—is coming from processed, packaged and prepared foods, not from the salt shaker at home.

Why is Sodium Being Targeted?

Sodium is linked to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in both men and women. Yet, many risk factors for heart disease are controllable—including how much sodium you ingest.

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What’s the Goal of the Initiative?

The current initiative is Phase II of a larger initiative that began with Phase I, issued in October 2021. Phase II contains 3-year sodium reduction targets for 163 food categories. If goals are met, Phase I and II targets will result in about a 20% reduction in sodium intake in the American food supply. This will reduce the average American’s sodium intake to about 2,750 mg per day—still higher than the recommended amount, but a big improvement that could result in large public health benefits.

What Can You Do Now to Reduce Your Sodium Intake?

You don’t have to wait for companies to change their formulations or restaurants to update their recipes to reduce your own sodium intake. You can make choices that include lower sodium options right now. For example, if you like canned soups, vegetables and beans, choose reduced- or no-sodium options—and rinse canned vegetables and beans under running water before eating them or adding them to recipes. You can make canned soups go further by adding fresh veggies to them. By increasing the volume of the soup this way, you get less sodium in the same serving size—and increase your vegetable intake.

Label-Reading and Other Tips

Become a label-reader if you’re not already. Sodium is sneaky and can be found in foods that might surprise you—like yogurt, salad dressing and bread. If you tend to grab packaged energy bars, drinks or chips for snacks, consider swapping in some whole foods. A handful of no-salt-added nuts and a piece of fruit or reduced salt nut butter with carrots and celery will go a long way toward getting you through to your next meal—without unnecessary added salt and other ingredients like added sugar. Or try making your own energy balls and smoothies so you know exactly what’s going into them.

Conclusion

The FDA’s initiative to reduce sodium in the U.S. food supply is a step in the right direction. By making informed choices about the foods we eat and the way we prepare them, we can all play a role in reducing our sodium intake and improving our overall health.

FAQs

Q: What is the recommended daily intake of sodium?
A: The recommended daily intake of sodium is no more than 2,300 milligrams per day.

Q: How much sodium do most Americans consume daily?
A: Most Americans consume an average of 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day.

Q: What are the main sources of sodium in the American diet?
A: The main sources of sodium in the American diet are processed, packaged and prepared foods, not from the salt shaker at home.

Q: What are the health risks associated with excessive sodium consumption?
A: Excessive sodium consumption is linked to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Q: What is the goal of the FDA’s sodium reduction initiative?
A: The goal of the FDA’s sodium reduction initiative is to reduce the amount of sodium Americans are consuming by 20% over the next three years.