The FDA is urging the food industry to reduce salt consumption.
The FDA requested that the food sector reduce the amount of sodium (a key component of salt) that is processed, packaged, and prepared meals voluntarily. Those foods account for over 70% of the sodium in the average American diet, which contains about 3,400 milligrams (mg) of salt per day.
Over the following two and a half years, the revised aims aim to reduce average sodium intake by around 12%, to around 3,000 mg per day. That amount is still higher than the federal dietary guidelines' recommendation of 2,300 mg, but it's a start. Excessive salt consumption can elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In the meanwhile, consume more fresh, unprocessed foods and limit your intake of the saltiest items (or seek out lower-sodium versions). Soup, pizza, Bread, and buns (due to their frequent consumption), cold cuts and cured meats, poultry dishes (such as rotisserie chicken and chicken nuggets), and sandwiches are all high in sodium (including burgers).
