I know you love hearing about sodium, and it's one of my favorite topics. Recently, we've covered low sodium shopping lists and guides to lower sodium, and today I'm back with a sodium update from the Food and Drug Administration!
Recently, the FDA released potential guidelines for voluntary sodium reduction. They're currently titled “Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods” and you can read them yourself here.
The comment period on these guidelines has closed, and the FDA is now into crafting the final version of their guidance, which means that we should be getting the actual formal version very soon.
This is fantastic news for educators and consumers alike, though of course there has been some controversy, namely from The Salt Institute, which is the trade association for the salt industry. Luckily, many scientific journals have come out in support of these guidelines (here's just one example) which are voluntary and allow up to 10 years for companies to comply.
For more information about the FDA's guidelines for voluntary sodium reduction in packaged foods, check out these links...
- Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods; Draft Guidance for Industry; Availability from the FDA
- Sodium Reduction—Saving Lives by Putting Choice Into Consumers’ Hands from the CDC and JAMA
- Sodium Reduction from the FDA
- Frequently Asked Questions on FDA’s Sodium Reduction Strategy from the FDA
- F.D.A. Proposes Guidelines for Salt Added to Food from the New York Times
- Open for comment: the FDA’s new guidance for voluntary salt reduction from Food Politics
- Draft Guidance for Industry: Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods from the FDA
For more fantastic sodium reduction resources, don't miss these popular materials...

Low Sodium Choices Poster 12x18
$16.99 $20.00
Add to Cart

Salt DVD - Salt Video - Salt and Sodium Education - Nutrition Education DVD
$99.00 $99.00
Add to Cart

Sodium Salt Math Poster
$19.00 $22.00
Add to Cart
Oh, and did you miss this great Low Sodium Shopping List? Get yours today for free!
Stephanie Ronco has been editing in a professional capacity for the past 10 years. In addition to her work as an editor, Ronco has also served as a ghostwriter and writing tutor. A voracious reader, Ronco loves watching language evolve and change. When she’s not delving into her latest project, Ronco can be found teaching acting classes, performing in community theater, or sailing with her husband.