New York Targets High Salt Levels

Posted on January 26, 2010 in Business/Law, Health & Medicine

The New York City Health Department has set its sights on high salt levels in restaurant fare and other food products, and it wants the rest of the nation to follow suit.

The department unveiled an initiative that urged food companies to voluntarily reduce the salt levels in their products. New York has teamed up with cities, states and national health organizations to gradually cut the salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25 percent, reducing the nation’s intake of salt by 20 percent.

The average American consumes 3,400 to 3,500 milligrams of sodium a day, although most only need 1,500. Pre-packaged foods and restaurant meals often account for about 80 percent of a person’s daily sodium intake.

The department has a history of groundbreaking health initiatives. In 2006, the city required restaurants to get rid of trans fats. They also raised awareness of high-calorie fast foods and beverages, urging consumers to choose alternate products.