March 28, 2023 – The FDA desires to allow the usage of salt substitutes in staple foods corresponding to cheese, milk and bread.
The FDA currently doesn’t allow salt substitutes in so-called “standardized foods” and needs to present more flexibility to manufacturers of 140 on a regular basis foods, including frozen peas, canned vegetables, milk chocolate and ketchup.
The Notice is a component of the FDA's plan to scale back what it calls “diet-related diseases.” High salt consumption is linked to hypertension, heart disease and stroke. The most typical reason people devour an excessive amount of salt is by eating packaged foods or restaurant-prepared foods, in accordance with the CDC.
“Manufacturers of standardized foods have few options to reduce the sodium content of their products,” formal proposal it says. “If salt is a required ingredient, they may generally use less salt. If salt is an optional ingredient, they may either use no salt or use less salt. However, they may not replace salt with another ingredient unless the standard allows the use of another ingredient.”
Specific salt substitutes that the FDA would approve weren’t listed, however the agency defines them as “safe and appropriate ingredients used to replace some or all of the added sodium chloride” and that “perform the function of salt in foods,” the press release states. “The extent to which salt can be replaced depends on the ability of a salt substitute to perform the function of salt in foods without compromising food safety and the properties of the foods.”
In 2021, the FDA asked the food industry to voluntarily reduce sodium levels in packaged and restaurant-prepared foods. The FDA said the brand new proposal should help the industry comply with that request.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, salt substitutes typically contain potassium chloride, but individuals with certain health problems needs to be cautious when taking these products.
“Salt substitutes may be a healthy alternative for some people because potassium is an important mineral that helps lower blood pressure,” Cleveland Clinic nutritionist Maxine Smith explained in a difficulty of Newsletter“But salt substitutes can be dangerous if you have medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease or diabetes.”
The CDC points out that each sodium and potassium are necessary electrolytes that help the body maintain healthy fluid and blood levels. Balance is significant: Too little potassium or an excessive amount of sodium can raise blood pressure. The CDC recommends reading the nutrition label on foods to administer your sodium and potassium intake.