FDA Wants Food Manufacturers to Lower Sodium Levels

Most people know foods like potato chips and pretzels contain higher amounts of sodium (salt) than an apple or glass of milk. But chips and pretzels are just a small slice of the big picture when it comes to foods high in sodium.

Fast food, some packaged meals, pizza, lunch meat, and canned soups also contain high levels of sodium. Take a look at what people are loading up their shopping carts with at the store, and you'll probably see a lot of these foods. But eating too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and increase the risk for heart attack. It's one of the primary reasons heart disease and stroke are among the leading causes of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to change that. The average American eats 3,400 mg of sodium a day, but the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg a day.

The FDA is currently working on a plan to ask food manufacturers to lower sodium levels in foods voluntarily. But that may be easier said than done, according to food industry experts. That's partly because Americans are so accustomed to salty foods. And as a voluntary measure, food manufacturers may only want to play the game as long as every else is. Companies like Wal-Mart, ConAgra Foods, Subway, and others have pledged to lower sodium levels in food, and that may be the start of a trend to help reduce the risk for health problems associated with high sodium diets.

MagicKitchen.com owners Greg and Michelle see these consumer-friendly changes as a way to make it easier for people to control calories, follow a healthy diet, and ultimately enjoy a better quality of life. If and when the proposed changes are approved, we're on board to make the changes to our own packaging to give you all the information you need to enjoy our healthy and tasty MagicKitchen.com meals.