Salt reduction in New York

Mayor’s initiative to prevent premature deaths

Inspired by the successful movements to reduce smoking, obesity and the use of trans fats, the Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg endeavoured to continue to encourage healthy living by launching a campaign to reduce salt consumption. The campaign, called the National Salt Reduction Initiative, aims to cut the quantities of salt in packaged and restaurant foods by a quarter over five years. The city claims that if the 2014 target is met it will help save many thousands of premature deaths.

Americans consume on average about 3.4g of sodium a day – well above the recommendation of the American Heart Association of less than 2.3g (equivalent to approx. 6g of salt). If the sodium reduction takes off in New York, it will have potential nationwide consequences because most food producers do not have the capability of making low-sodium foods just for the city. The move to lower salt content by manufacturers will be on a voluntary basis, with the hope that companies will participate out of concern for public well-being.

Dr Thomas Farley, New York’s health commissioner, has welcomed the initiative. He said reducing sodium levels ‘will give consumers more choice about the amount of salt they eat, and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke in the process’.

Source: The Guardian, Monday 11 January 2010.

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