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Media Statement

For Immediate Release: January 11, 2010
Contact: Division of News & Electronic Media, Office of Communication
(404) 639-3286

CDC Statement on Sodium Reduction in Manufactured and Restaurant Food

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports efforts to reduce the sodium content of manufactured and restaurant foods. Most American adults should consume no more than 1,500 mg. of sodium – the equivalent of about two-thirds of a teaspoon of table salt – per day, according to CDC research. (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5811a2.htm).

“The data are clear,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the CDC. “The majority of Americans are consuming about twice the recommended limit of sodium, each day, and not by choice. Achieving substantial reductions in sodium levels by incremental decreases in sodium content across the food supply can save many lives while maintaining good taste.”

Decreasing sodium consumption reduces blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease and other serious health problems.

In addition, CDC has commissioned an Institute of Medicine study that will outline strategies to reduce sodium consumption to levels recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/ReduceSodiumStrat.aspx.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES