FDA to look at warnings about salt in food

Oct 22 2007

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States will hear a consumer group's petition demanding that the federal agency should regulate the use of salt in food.

The hearing is scheduled to take place on November 29th when the Center for Science in the Public Interest will present a petition that the FDA issue limits on salt in processed food and demand detailed information on the salt and sodium content of foods.

Back in 2005, the consumer advocacy group petitioned the FDA to classify salt as a food additive, which is currently "generally recognized as safe".

The petition, which cites the American Heart Association, says the millions of Americans suffering hypertension could benefit from cutting down their salt intake and improve their condition.

Salt is used to increase the palatability of food but a high salt intake has been linked to high blood pressure, which is associated with cardiovascular disease.

Quite often many people's daily intake of the mineral exceeds the need of a person's bodily functions.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three Americans suffer from high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.