FDA Announces New Sodium Reduction Targets to Combat Diet-Related Diseases
The FDA has taken a significant step forward in public health as it unveils its latest draft guidance aimed at reducing sodium intake in the American diet. This new initiative, known as Phase II, builds on the voluntary sodium reduction goals set in 2021, now referred to as Phase I. The updated targets aim to further reduce sodium levels in foods and thereby decrease the prevalence of diet-related diseases associated with high sodium consumption.
What Are the New Sodium Reduction Targets?
The draft guidance, titled "Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods (Edition 2)," introduces sodium reduction targets for 163 different food categories. These categories encompass commercially processed and packaged foods, as well as foods prepared in food service establishments like restaurants.
The industry has been making efforts to meet the 2021 targets, which had a deadline set for April 2024. The new Phase II targets provide additional goals for companies to strive toward within three years after the guidance is finalized. The ultimate goal of these targets is to address the excessive sodium intake in the U.S., which currently averages nearly 50% more than the recommended limit.
Progress So Far
Preliminary data from the "Sodium Reduction in the U.S. Food Supply 2010-2022: A Preliminary Assessment of Progress" report show encouraging results. Approximately 40% of food categories have already met or are very close to meeting the targets set in the 2021 guidance. This assessment compares data from 2010 (the baseline year for Phase I targets) to 2022. Looking ahead, the FDA plans to assess progress toward the sodium reduction targets every three years.
Why Is Reducing Sodium Important?
Excessive sodium consumption is a well-known risk factor for high blood pressure, which is a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. These conditions disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States, making sodium reduction a crucial public health objective. Strong scientific evidence supports the benefits of lowering sodium intake, suggesting that even modest reductions could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and illnesses in the coming years.
The FDA's new draft guidance focuses on reducing sodium in commercially processed, packaged, and prepared foods, which account for over 70% of sodium intake in the U.S. population. The proposed voluntary targets aim to reduce sodium intake to approximately 2,750 milligrams per day (mg/day)—about 20% lower than the average intake prior to the Phase I targets. While this is still above the recommended 2,300 mg/day for individuals aged 14 and older, the new goals represent an important step toward achieving healthier sodium levels in the American diet.
How ENTR Can Help
Reducing sodium levels in food products can be challenging for manufacturers, but ENTR makes the process simpler with its intuitive formulation tools. ENTR provides real-time sodium tracking, allowing manufacturers to see the impact of each ingredient on overall sodium content and identify high-sodium ingredients for potential replacement or adjustment. The platform’s customizable formulation insights enable experimentation with different recipes while ensuring compliance with sodium reduction goals, helping maintain product taste and quality. By providing up-to-date regulatory guidelines and detailed ingredient tracking, ENTR supports manufacturers in staying compliant with evolving regulations and enhancing transparency, resulting in stronger consumer trust and a healthier food supply.
