Leaders at Mars Food recently took bold measures to decrease the amount of sodium in the company's products by approximately 20 percent, while encouraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publish its voluntary sodium targets.
As of today, approximately 80 percent of sodium that Americans consume in their diets is hidden within restaurant or packaged foods. It is crucial for the sake of American public health that the FDA release its sodium target levels.
Officials at the American Heart Association (AHA) congratulated the company on its reduction accomplishment. Mars Food has the goal of completely decreasing the sodium levels by 2021.
“The American Heart Association applauds Mars Food for being the first food giant to call on the FDA to release voluntary sodium targets which could ultimately save lives and billions of dollars in health care costs,” AHA CEO Nancy Brown said.
Research suggests that too much sodium can cause high blood pressure. In turn, this leads to stroke, heart failure, heart attacks and kidney disease.
“Fortunately, there is a growing trend among food companies to reduce sodium,” Brown said. “Almost 30 major food companies, like Mars Food, are working to reduce sodium in many of their products. The AHA supports the FDA’s release of voluntary sodium targets, because they will level the playing field among food companies and empower the public to make healthier food choices.”
