FDA Extends Comment Periods for Draft Industry Guidance on Salt Reduction

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the public
comment periods for draft guidance “that provides practical, voluntary
sodium reduction targets for the food industry.” Titled ‘‘Voluntary
Sodium Reduction Goals: Target Mean and Upper Bound Concentrations
for Sodium in Commercially Processed, Packaged, and Prepared
Foods,” the guidance sets short- and long-term sodium targets for the
following food categories: (i) cheese; (ii) fats, oils and dressings; (iii)
fruits, vegetables and legumes; (iv) nuts and seeds; (v) soups; (vi) sauces,
gravies, dips, condiments and seasonings; (vii) cereals; (viii) bakery
products; (ix) meat and poultry; (x) fish and other seafood; (xi) snacks;
(xii) sandwiches; (xiii) mixed ingredient dishes; (xiv) salads; (xv) other
combination foods; and (xvi) baby/toddler foods.

The agency will now accept comments pertaining to the food categories
and two-year salt reduction goals until October 17, 2016. The comment
period for the 10-year targets as well as feedback on technical challenges
and innovative solutions to salt reduction will now be accepted until
December 2.

Based on consumption data, FDA estimates that these industry measures
will reduce the mean population intake to approximately 2,300 milligrams
of sodium per day, from 3,400 mg/day. See FDA Constituent
Update, August 18, 2016.

Issue 615