Legal Salt Mandates May Appear Soon

In the wake of several studies linking sodium intake to a host of medical illnesses, the FDA has been urged to place a legal limit on salt use by food manufacturers and restaurants.

According to WebMD, American sodium intake is well above what's considered healthy. It's clear salt is taking a rap for health conditions like high blood pressure, strokes, kidney failure, and more.

As a result, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has urged the FDA to set federal standards for the amount of sodium that food manufacturers can add to their foods.

Critics, including the Salt Institute, suggest that a federal law mandating how much salt we should and shouldn't eat is "overkill." They prefer that people choose for themselves which products to buy and how much sodium to consume.

They suggest that promoting a diet with more fruits and vegetables would be a better way to ensure a healthier diet in America.

To some extent consumers themselves have had an impact on the use of salt by food manufacturers and restaurants. Many big distributors are searching for low-sodium food substitutions in order to appease more health-conscious buyers.

In response, the FDA plans to review the recommendations, but no word yet on whether an actual law regarding sodium use will be issued any time soon.