Sodium Consumption in U.S. Is Still Too High
Sodium intake declined slightly during 2003–2010 in children ages 1 to 13 years, but not in adolescents or adults, according to a new CDC study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Eight in 10 preschoolers and 9 in 10 children and adults consume too much dietary sodium, much of it from processed and restaurant foods. During 2007–2010, the prevalence of sodium consumption above the “upper intake” level determined by the Institute of Medicine ranged from 79.1% for children younger than 3 years old to 95.4% for adults 19 to 50 years old. – Huffington Post
Campaign Helped Shawnee County Cut the Sodium
Shawnee County’s “Cut the Salt” campaign has made a positive impact in how much sodium area residents are consuming, according to Misty Kruger, public information officer for the Shawnee County Health Agency. In 2010, CDC awarded Shawnee County a grant through its Sodium Reduction in Communities Program, which enabled the Shawnee County Health Agency, Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to implement a countywide campaign to create healthier food environments and cut sodium intake. The initiative’s efforts included a nutritional makeover at the Topeka Zoo’s concessions stand, sodium reductions to inmate meals at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections, and increasing the availability of low sodium items at 13 local convenience stores. – Topeka Capital-Journal
Global Sodium Intake Double Recommended Amount
In 2010, researchers found that the global average intake of sodium was 4,000 milligrams per person per day—double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2,000 milligrams—according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Open. The figures reveal that national intake levels exceeded the recommended amount by more than 1,000 milligrams per day in 119 countries, with excessive intake particularly prevalent in Asia. This research offers the first estimates of global sodium intake for every country across the globe. – Cambridge News
U.K. Department of Health Changes Sodium Reduction Plan Again
Amid opposition from industry and health groups, the U.K. Department of Health has cancelled plans to launch a list of “essential targets” for sodium reduction that all companies would be expected to reach. Retailers claimed this approach tasked them with unrealistic goals given technical barriers to sodium reduction, whereas some nongovernment organizations worried that the plan could allow some food suppliers to avoid the mandatory targets. However, the Department plans to proceed using modified targets. This decision follows a revision in October 2013, when the Department cancelled plans for all new products to be given new sodium targets, claiming it would be too difficult to oversee. – The Grocer
Kuwait Health Ministry Praises Company’s Commitment to Reduce Sodium in Bread
The Kuwait Ministry of Health recently welcomed a decision by Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company to cut sodium in its bread products by 20%. Reducing sodium in bread was recommended by the World Health Organization and the Kuwait Ministry of Health as a part of a strategy to curb risks for high blood pressure and heart disease, according to Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Qais Al-Duwairi. – Kuwait News Agency