Posted on 10/13/21
| News Source: NY Post
Health officials are urging food manufacturers and services to take drastic action against America’s insatiable appetite for salt.
The Food and Drug Administration has asked food-producing companies to slash the amount of salt in their products by at least 12%, giving businesses 2½ years to hit the mark, according to a statement made Wednesday.
“What we’d like to see is the food industry gradually lower the sodium content,” Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock told NBC News, targeting conventionally purchased foods and groceries — namely, processed and prepackaged foods, such as condiments, snacks and frozen dinners, as well as dishes from chain restaurants.
They hope the new guidance will reduce rates of heart disease — the No. 1 cause of premature death in the US. Reducing sodium intake “would have a major impact on hypertension, heart disease and stroke,” Woodcock added.