FDA Issues Food Industry Guidance for Voluntarily Reducing Sodium in Processed and Packaged Foods

SILVER SPRING, Md. — In a statement this week, the Food and Drug Administration announced new guidance on reducing sodium in 163 food categories of processed, packaged and prepared foods. Citing its public health mission to reduce the burden of chronic disease through improved nutrition, the agency said the US. is facing a growing epidemic of preventable, diet-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

"The agency’s work in this area has become even more urgent," said the release, which is attributed to Janet Woodcock, acting commissioner of food and drugs, and Susan T. Mayne, director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).

This week, FDA issued the final guidance, "Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods,” which it said provides voluntary short-term sodium reduction targets. The guidance is another step the agency is taking to advance the Biden Administration’s whole-of-government approach to nutrition and health and improve future health outcomes.