US food agency wants to limit American salt consumption

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According to the FDA, most salt is ingested through processed foods (symbol image)

Photo: J. David Ake / AP

The US Food and Drug Administration wants to reduce American salt consumption.

According to the FDA, twelve percent less salt will be used in the future in the production of foods such as meat and cheese, as it announced.

The agency is aiming for voluntary targets for the food industry, restaurant chains and delivery services in the short term.

In the next two and a half years, the current average daily consumption of 3400 milligrams of sodium chloride - the main component of salt - is to be reduced to 3000 milligrams.

The official dietary guidelines for Americans recommend a maximum limit of 2300 milligrams for anyone over the age of 14.

Increased salt consumption is considered to be the cause of numerous diseases such as high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

More than four in ten Americans have high blood pressure, the FDA said.

Lower salt consumption has the potential to save hundreds of thousands from premature death or illness.

Most salt is consumed through processed foods and does not come from the salt shaker used to season the food.

kim / Reuters