FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Sodium Reduction with Voluntary Targets

Saying “the time is now to engage in a national dialogue on the problem of excess sodium,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a draft guidance with voluntary sodium reduction targets for the food industry. According to FDA supplemental material, restaurant food was included because Americans eat about one-third of their food calories and spend about half of their food dollars outside the home.

“The restaurant industry is taking a proactive role in helping Americans live healthier lives by offering a growing number of menu options and choices for customers,” said Joan McGlockton, Vice President, Food Policy and Industry Affairs, National Restaurant Association (NRA) stated in a response to the FDA announcement. “As part of that commitment, restaurants across our industry have been actively engaged for some time in voluntary efforts to provide consumers with lower-sodium options.

“It’s important to note that as restaurants continue to develop lower-sodium…