Sodium Decreases Found in Packaged Foods
Researchers found the sodium content of households’ purchases declined substantially for all the leading food sources of sodium for the 15-year period.
In a recent nationwide study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found significant reductions in sodium from packaged food and beverage purchases over the past 15 years. Sodium from packaged food and beverage purchases that U.S. households brought into their homes dropped 12% from 2000 to 2014, researchers discovered. While initiatives by U.S. food and beverage manufacturers to reduce sodium have been ongoing, this study is important because few have tracked the sodium reduction progress the industry has made. In addition, researchers found that U.S. consumers did not drastically change their purchases during the study period.
Researchers studied the amount of sodium obtained from packaged foods and beverages purchased from retail food stores using data from the 2000 to 2014 Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel. Packaged food and beverage purchases by 172,042 U.S. households reflect nutrition label data for nearly 1.5 million products. In the nationwide sample, the amount of sodium that households acquired from packaged food and beverage purchases decreased by 396 mg per day per capita between 2000 and 2014. Specifically, the sodium content of households’ packaged food purchases declined 12 percent (49 mg per 100 g), during the same period. Researchers found that decreases began in 2005 and progressed through 2014.
Researchers found the sodium content of household purchases declined substantially for all of the leading food sources of sodium for the 15-year period. Accounting for approximately 70% of the sodium in food and beverage purchases, the top 10 food group sources include condiments, sauces and dips; mixed dishes; salty snacks; breads; processed meat; cheese; soup; grain-based desserts; vegetables; and breakfast cereals. In seven of the 10 greatest sources of salt among packaged foods and beverages, sodium content declined by at least 10 percent. Data showed drops of more than 100 mg sodium per 100 g for condiments, sauces and dips and salty snacks also.
Still, the majority of U.S. households contain food and beverage products with sodium amounts exceeding optimal levels, the researchers report. During all of the years studied, less than 2 percent of U.S. households reported purchasing packaged food and beverage purchases with a sodium density of 1.1 mg sodium per kcal or less. The researchers believe their findings suggest work should continue on sodium reduction research and development in the United States as many households have purchases of foods and beverages with sodium levels that are higher than recommended.
Abstract: Poti JM, Dunford EK, Popkin BM. Sodium Reduction in US Households’ Packaged Food and Beverage Purchases, 2000 to 2014.. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(7):986-994.
doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1407. [Abstract only used.]
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Go to: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-heart-salt-food/less-dietary-salt-is-coming-from-packaged-foods-these-days-idUSKBN18W2I3
Phillips D. Sodium in Packaged Food Declines. Medscape. June 5, 2017.
Go to: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/881119#vp_1