Currently, the average daily intake of sodium in America is 3,400 milligrams per day. The draft suggests short-term and long-term targets to help the American public reduce sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day — which is the amount leading experts recommend based on scientific evidence.
“The targets are also intended to complement many existing efforts by food manufacturers, restaurants and food service operations to reduce sodium in foods,” according to an FDA statement.
Thomas Frieden, MD, director of the CDC, commented on the FDA draft guidance Wednesday in a viewpoint published in JAMA.
“Sodium reduction through voluntary reductions by industry and facilitated by FDA guidelines will put choice into the hands of consumers, will save lives and money, and is an achievable and effective public health strategy that should be implemented without delay,” Dr. Frieden wrote.
More articles on nutrition and health:
5 reasons the new nutrition labels are good for population health
Making healthy choices convenient: What healthcare experts can learn from apples
FDA finalizes improved nutrition labels: 9 updates
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