By: Kris Sollid, RD   Date: 4/30/10

Two years ago, Congress commissioned the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to devise strategies for reducing sodium consumption to a level consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).  Seven committee meetings, countless hours of deliberations, and 480 pages later, the IOM released its much anticipated report, Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States, last Tuesday April 20, 2010. 

Here are some key points from the extensive report:

• Voluntary efforts over the past 40 years have not succeeded in reducing sodium consumption among Americans.
• The FDA should set national standards for sodium content in foods (but not ban outright the addition of salt to foods), and implement a coordinated and gradual step-down approach so that:
     o Consumers have time to adjust their taste buds. 
     o Industry is given sufficient time for reformulation. 
     o A level playing field exists among all segments of food industry.
     o Results achieved are monitored carefully and any possible adverse consequences can be detected early on.
     o Emerging technologies making sodium reduction easier can be implemented.
• The FDA should modify the GRAS status of sodium containing compounds added to processed foods; currently any amount of sodium added is GRAS. In other words, set a maximum level to which added sodium is considered safe.
     o What is GRAS?  Click here find out.
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should act to design and implement a nationwide campaign to reduce sodium intake and set a timeline for achieving the sodium intake levels established by the DGA.
• More research is required in the areas of: 
     o Development of salty taste preferences through the lifecycle.
     o Innovative methods for simultaneously reducing sodium content and maintaining palatability, physical characteristics, and safety of foods.
     o Factors impacting consumer awareness and behavior relative to sodium reduction.

So there you have the report in a nutshell; pretty straightforward right? Apparently it’s not that simple, as even major media outlets have mistakenly reported the findings.  On the day of the report’s release, the Washington Post published an article leading many to believe the FDA had decided to take action based on the IOM’s recommendations.  In response to the article, the FDA issued a news release stating “the FDA is not currently working on regulations nor has it made a decision to regulate sodium content in foods at this time.” 

So what’s the bottom line and what does the IOM Report mean for you the consumer?

First of all, no action to mandate sodium reduction in the food supply has been issued by the federal government at this time.  The FDA is currently reviewing IOM’s report and HHS will be establishing an interagency working group on sodium to review options and possible next steps.  Official government action is yet to be determined, but the success of such a large scale sodium reduction is multi-factorial and it includes input from you, the consumer.

Whether or not sodium is regulated, the choice will remain in the hands of consumers; it always will.  If you want more sodium, you have your salt shaker.  However, if you’re trying to lower your sodium intake, there are many actions you can take.  For some healthy and helpful tips on how this can be accomplished, check out this blog post from one of my colleagues here at the International Food Information Council Foundation.  Keep in mind that eating a healthful and balanced diet is more complex than simply limiting the consumption of one nutrient. 

While there are many conflicting views on this hotly debated topic, we should all be mindful of the potential for unintended consequences in any public policy decision.  Do you have an opinion of IOM’s recommendations and the potential for Federal Government regulations?