FDA Should Help Americans Trying to Lower their Sodium Intake

Statement of CSPI Health Promotion Policy Director Jim O’Hara

July 2, 2015

Millions of Americans are trying to cut back salt in their diets and lower their risk of heart attacks and strokes, and it’s time the Food and Drug Administration helped them.

That’s the real bottom line from data just published today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This week CDC reported that in 26 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico from 39 percent to 73 percent of adults said they take action to reduce sodium in their diet.

FDA is working on voluntary targets for the food industry to reduce sodium in processed and restaurant foods. It’s long past time for FDA to release these targets and help the millions of Americans seeking to protect their health and well-being.