FDA announces new voluntary sodium reduction targets

Key takeaways:

• The FDA announced new voluntary targets for sodium reduction for the first time since 2021.
• Around 40% of the initial milestone targets are very close to being reached or have already been achieved.

The FDA announced lower voluntary targets for daily sodium intake, part of the second phase in its plan to reduce the amount of sodium consumed in the United States.

The new set of voluntary targets, if finalized, would support reducing average individual sodium intake to about 2,750 mg a day, which would be 20% lower than consumer levels before 2021, according to a press release from the agency.

“Reducing sodium in the food supply has the potential to be one of the most important public health initiatives in a generation,” Jim Jones, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, said in the release. “The early successes we’re seeing with sodium level reduction in certain foods is encouraging and indicative of the impact we believe our overall nutrition approach can have on the well-being of society.”

Research has shown that excessive sodium intakes can result in significant adverse health outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations. Healio previously reported that a 1,000 mg increase in daily salt intake increased the risk for coronary heart disease death by 8% in Black individuals.

The FDA announced its initial voluntary reduction targets in October 2021, which aimed to lower average sodium intake from around 3,400 mg to 3,000 mg, a 12% decrease.

The average consumer sodium intake before 2021 was 3,400 mg a day, significantly greater than the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation of 2,300 mg a day for those aged 14 years and older, the agency noted.

The FDA said the initiative has made progress in reaching its phase 1 goals because preliminary data from 2022 showed that around 40% of the initial targets are very close to being reached or have already been achieved.

The FDA’s sodium targets are not legally enforceable and reflect the agency’s recommendation for manufacturers. However, FDA has taken other actions designed to reduce sodium levels on consumables, including a proposed rule allowing the use of salt substitutes in foods where salt is a required or optional ingredient

The FDA also recommended using the term “potassium salt” instead of “potassium chloride” to inform consumers that the product contains a salt substitute.

According to the agency, it will evaluate sodium levels in foods about every 3 years and will consider future phases of voluntary reduction targets as part of its approach.

“The FDA’s sodium reduction and other nutrition initiatives are central to a broader, whole-of-government approach to help reduce the burden of diet-related chronic diseases and advance health equity,” Jones said.