The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance for the second Phase of its voluntary sodium reduction targets across the food supply, in a step-by-step approach.
According to the FDA, consumers used to intake sodium at an average rate of around 3,400mg/day before 2021, which is way higher than the recommended limit.
If finalised, the new voluntary targets would help reduce the individual sodium intake of the consumers to nearly 2,750mg/day, 20% lower than the intake levels before 2021.
The Phase 2 voluntary sodium reduction targets are based on preliminary data from the Phase 1 targets, issued in October 2021, along with public and external feedback.
The Phase 1 targets encouraged the food industry to reduce sodium levels in various processed, packaged, and prepared foods.
According to the preliminary data from 2022, nearly 40% of the Phase 1 targets have come close to or have been reached, indicating an early success.
US FDA human foods deputy commissioner Jim Jones said: “Reducing sodium in the food supply has the potential to be one of the most important public health initiatives in a generation.
“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 wellbeing of society.
According to the FDA, the US faces an ever-growing epidemic of diet-related chronic diseases.
Excessive intake of sodium contributes to increased blood pressure, which is associated with heart disease and stroke. Reducing sodium intake may prevent premature deaths and illnesses.
The US health agency’s proposed Phase 2 targets will focus on commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods in the marketplace.
FDA said that its guidance is relevant, as more than 70% of sodium intake in the US population is traced back to sodium added during food manufacturing and commercial food preparation.
Furthermore, its sodium reduction initiative is part of the White House National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health to reduce diet-related diseases by 2030.
Jones added: “In addition to our sodium reduction efforts, the FDA is also actively working on a forthcoming final rule updating the definition of the claim ‘healthy,’ a proposed rule for front-of-package nutrition labelling and exploring ways to reduce added sugars consumption.
“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.”
