FDA-Issued Sodium Targets Ineffective in Reducing Dietary Salt Intake

The phase 1 voluntary sodium reduction targets introduced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 have shown no significant impact in lowering the amount of sodium in packaged foods, according to recent research.1

An excess of sodium is one of the leading causes of hypertension, as well as raising stroke, heart attack, and heart failure risk. Previous research has indicated that the majority of American adults consume substantially more than the upper limit of 2300 mg per day, as recommended by cardiovascular disease guidelines.1

“Our findings suggest that sodium content in newly introduced products did not decrease across 9 packaged food categories contributing to most dietary sodium in the US, and even increased in 4 categories, despite the voluntary targets issued by the FDA,” Kenny Kusnadi, MSPH, a graduate student researcher in the department of international health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and first author of the study, said in a statement. “These findings suggest that the food industry is not incorporating the sodium targets into new product development and innovation.”1

The majority of sodium people consume comes from packaged foods and meals at restaurants, rather than salt added to home cooking. Given this, the FDA’s initial guidance release was intended to reduce the population’s sodium consumption by driving reformulation among manufacturers in their packaged food.1

Tracking Sodium Changes in American Foods

Kusnadi and colleagues utilized the Mintel Global New Products Database to conduct a longitudinal analysis of sodium content, measured as mg/100g, in foods introduced to the US market during 2015-2025. The team included all major sodium-contributing categories, including breads and baked products, pizzas, sandwiches and wraps, meat products, corn-based snacks, potato snacks, popcorn, dry soups, and wet soups.2

The team then evaluated differences in sodium content among products introduced before and after October 2021, when the FDA’s sodium reduction goals were issued. Kusnadi and colleagues made use of linear mixed-effects models to compare sodium content, while models assessing overall differences across all 9 categories accounted for between-category heterogeneity. Additionally, stratified analyses were conducted within each category.2

Post-Target Sodium Content

Among the 9 major sodium contributor categories, the team found that sodium content did not meaningfully differ between products released before and after the goals were issued (mean difference: 1 mg/100 g; 95% CI, -16 to 13; P =.84). Additionally, when comparing sodium content in individual categories before and after the issuance, Kusnadi and colleagues noted lower sodium content only in meat products (-78 mg/100 g; 95% CI, -111 to -46; P =.1).2

“These findings add to a substantial body of evidence that voluntary, non-binding targets are a less effective approach to meaningfully reduce the sodium content of the food supply,” Matti Marklund, PhD, assistant professor in the department of international health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the study’s senior author, said in a statement. “The available evidence, including our analysis, suggests that future efforts need stronger accountability mechanisms, such as mandatory sodium targets with financial consequences for non-compliance.”1

Since the initial issuance, the FDA has introduced phase II sodium reduction targets in August 2024. Additionally, the organization is expected to issue a formal evaluation of the prior phase I targets later in 2026.1

References

1. American Society for Nutrition. FDA-issued sodium targets yield no apparent impact. Eurekalert. July 25, 2026. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136399

2. Kusnadi K, Appel L, Henry M, et al. No Apparent Reduction in Sodium Content after 2021 Issuance of FDA Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals. Presented at NUTRITION 2026, National Harbor, Maryland. July 25-28, 2026.