AMA Says Better Salt Labels Needed
Yesterday the American Medical Association voted to urge the government to require high-salt foods to be labeled. Many quick-serve menu items, including cheeseburgers, could be included in such labeling.
During the voice vote, the AMA also vowed to push the food industry to drastically reduce the amount of salt in restaurant and processed foods. The goal would be 50 percent less salt within a decade.
The AMA says Americans eat almost twice the amount of salt they should, which can contribute to high blood pressure and heart problems.
An AMA council report was the impetus for the vote and the new policy. The report suggests labels with pictures of salt shakers bearing the word "high" and red exclamation marks, saying such...
warnings might help consumers make better choices about eating high-sodium foods.
Foods considered high in salt are those with more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving, according to the AMA report. That can include hot dogs, some canned soups, a slice of packaged pepperoni pizza, or a quick-serve a cheeseburger, according to a food chart accompanying the council report.
Meanwhile, the Food Products Association, a trade group for the food and beverage manufacturing industry, says the new policy is misguided. A spokesman for the group asked the Associated Press, "Why single out salt?," noting that the direct link between salt and negative cardiovascular outcomes is not always clear.
The spokesman added that the FPA feels existing food labels listing sodium content are sufficient for consumers to make healthy choices.
The AMA’s five-day annual meeting ends today.