While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not taking regulatory action at this time, nor is it currently planning any regulations, the FDA is concerned that the over-consumption of salt in American diets is making us unhealthy by increasing the likelihood that Americans will suffer health problems like high blood pressure and hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risks of suffering from related health problems like heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and kidney failure.Salt is a major culprit for these health problems, and now a new report issued by the Institute of Medicine concludes that a national effort is needed to reduce the sodium content in foods in order to reduce these health problems. However, at this time the FDA is choosing not to implement regulations to reduce salt intake, and instead, the FDA is seeking voluntary reductions by the food industry.
The FDA states in its news release on the report that:
Over the coming weeks, the FDA will more thoroughly review the recommendations of the IOM report and build plans for how the FDA can continue to work with other federal agencies, public health and consumer groups, and the food industry to support the reduction of sodium levels in the food supply. The Department of Health and Human Services will be establishing an interagency working group on sodium at the Department that will review options and next steps.
Melissa Healy and Andrew Zajac report for the Los Angeles Times that if the voluntary cutbacks are not taken by the industry, then the "agency may resort to regulating acceptable levels of sodium in food and beverages." FDA spokeswoman Meghan Scott is quoted in the Times article as stating, "'[n]othing is off the table . . . Everyone's in agreement that something needs to be done . . . We just don't know what it's going to look like."'
Americans consume, on a daily basis, roughly 50 percent more salt than is recommended by the 2005 government Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Times reports that public health advocacy groups are happy about the FDA's decision, but some in the food industry, and some libertarians and conservatives denounced the decision "as another government assault on personal freedom."
Doing something to reduce salt intake to the 2005 guideline levels could, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, prevent roughly 90,000 deaths a year. The Additionally, Rand Corp. did a study that was published in September that found reducing sodium intake to the recommended levels could save up to $18 billion a year in health costs that are associated with the over-consumption of salt.
The Times reports that the food industry has had mixed reactions to the proposed plans to reduce salt consumption. Lori Roman, president of the Salt Institute, states in the Times article that the types of reductions being discussed are both "'drastic'" and not "'scientifically sound."'
Meanwhile, another industry group, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, said in a statement that the organization looks forward to working with the FDA "'to develop a national sodium reduction strategy that will help the consumer [.]"'
Currently salt is classified by the FDA as a substance "'generally recognized as safe,"' which is why it is not regulated. In 2005 the Center for Science in the Public Interest sued the FDA to have salt classified as a "food additive subject to regulation."'
It appears as though the FDA is currently looking for a middle ground where they would work with the industry and other interested parties to reduce sodium levels without having to resort to government regulation.
To read the FDA news release on the report, click here.
To read the Institute of Medicine report, click here.
To read the Los Angeles Times article on the report, click here.
Posted: 04/21/10
