FDA guidance on voluntarily reducing sodium

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a draft guidance concerning voluntary sodium reduction targets for the food industry.  The draft guidance sets short-term and long-term targets.  The short-term (two-year) target seeks to decrease sodium intake to approximately 3,000 milligrams (mg) per day, with the ten-year target of 2,300 mg per day.  Currently the average sodium intake in the U.S. is 3,400 mg per day.  The targets cover 150 food categories, including meat and poultry.  FDA is accepting public comments on the draft guidance until August 31.