Tag: salt/sodium
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Research Questions Impact of Low-Sodium Diets on Heart Health
A European study has reportedly raised questions about the impact of low-sodium diets on heart health, finding that people who apparently consumed the least amount of salt did not lower their risk for high blood pressure and, contrary to expectations, increased their risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Katarzyna Stolarz-Skrzypek, et al., “Fatal and…
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Court Pares Soup Labeling Claims Litigation
A federal court in New Jersey has granted in part the motion to dismiss filed by the Campbell Soup Co. in litigation alleging that consumers were misled by the company’s lower-sodium labels, believing they were a healthier alternative to regular soups, which allegedly contain about the same levels of sodium as the more expensive low-sodium…
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Walmart Launches Effort to Provide Healthier Food Choices
Walmart has unveiled a plan to provide healthier food choices at reduced prices, setting specific targets for lowering sodium, trans fats and added sugars in thousands of packaged foods by 2015. Joined by first lady Michelle Obama at an event in Washington, D.C., the major grocer outlined key elements of the initiative that built on…
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American Heart Association Calls for Intensified Efforts to Reduce Sodium
The American Heart Association (AHA) is urging the food industry, health professionals, government, and the public to “intensify efforts to reduce the amount of sodium (salt) Americans consume.” Published as a presidential advisory in an upcoming issue of its journal Circulation, AHA says its science-based recommendations advocate no more than 1,500 mg of sodium daily…
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Court Dismisses Class Action over Salt in Denny’s Menu Items
A New Jersey appellate court has dismissed the second amended complaint in a putative class action filed by a man who claims that Denny’s meals contain excessive undisclosed levels of sodium in violation of the state’s Consumer Fraud Act. DeBenedetto v. Denny’s, Inc., No. A-4135-09T1 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div., decided January 11, 2011). The…
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Australian Researchers Advocate Mandatory Sodium Limits for Processed Foods
Mandatory sodium limits for processed foods could be 20 times more effective than voluntary reduction measures. Linda Cobiac, et al., “Cost-effectiveness of interventions to reduce dietary salt intake,” Heart, November 2010. Australian researchers evaluated the public health benefits and cost-effectiveness of four possible strategies for reducing dietary salt: (i) the current Australian program that provides…
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Studies Examine U.S. Salt Intake over 50 Years, Iodine Deficiency
A recent study has reportedly claimed that dietary salt intake has remained constant in the U.S. population for the past five decades, raising questions about government efforts to restrict sodium consumption. Adam Bernstein and Walter Willett, “Trends in 24-h urinary sodium excretion in the United States, 1957–2003: a systematic review,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,…
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CDC Announces Grants for Sodium-Reduction Strategies
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced five grants geared toward researching, developing and implementing sodium-reduction strategies. Totaling $1.9 million, the grants “will support policy strategies to create healthier food environments and help reduce sodium intake for a three-year funding period,” stated CDC, which identified the grantees as California (working with…