Should the FDA regulate salt?

In a report to be announced by the federal government on Wednesday, recommendations are being made to regulate the amount of salt that can be added to processed food. The FDA, awaiting the report, has announced that it will begin to work with companies to regulate salt immediately. The American Medical Association has been petitioning the FDA for many years to follow this course of action.

The process to reduce salt will take approximately 10 years to complete. The FDA states that this gives manufacturers and consumers ample time to adjust to the new taste. Canned soup, canned vegetables and even cheese are some of the foods that will be affected by this new regulation. Even though many food processing companies have reduced their sodium levels in recent years, the FDA does not believe it is low enough for health purposes.

The government believes that this reduction in salt intake will save lives. Their estimate is that 150,000 lives each year will be saved. Salt is believed to be connected to high blood pressure. In taking too much sodium causes blood pressure to rise. While doctors state that inactivity and weight control can have a more direct effect of blood pressure, the FDA will continue to pursue this salt restriction.