FDA lets food makers use salt substitutes in 139 standard foods
The FDA has finalized a rule that lets manufacturers swap some or all of the salt for salt substitutes in 139 foods with federal recipe standards, such as many cheeses, breads and canned vegetables. The agency says the change should help companies make lower-sodium versions of familiar foods. Most of the rule takes effect Dec. 14.
The Food and Drug Administration has finalized a rule that lets food makers use salt substitutes in 139 standardized foods, FoodNavigator reported. The rule was published Oct. 13.
Standardized foods have federal rules that spell out what they must contain. Many of these standards require or allow salt but did not allow salt substitutes. The rule amends 80 standards directly, and 59 more that cross-reference them, for 139 in total, The National Law Review and FoodNavigator reported.
The rule does not list approved substitutes. Instead, it defines a salt substitute as "a safe and suitable ingredient (or combination of safe and suitable ingredients) that is used to replace some or all of the added salt (sodium chloride), to reduce sodium in the food, and that serves the function of salt in the food," The National Law Review reported. The food must still keep its "essential characteristics," FoodNavigator said.
Affected foods include many types of cheese, bread, rolls and buns, macaroni and noodle products, canned vegetables, tomato products, mayonnaise and some syrups, according to FoodNavigator.
The FDA says the change will help cut sodium in the food supply. More than 70% of the sodium Americans eat comes from salt added during food manufacturing and commercial food prep, FoodNavigator reported, citing the rule. The agency says less sodium can lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, The National Law Review said.
The rule drew more than 120 comments, FoodNavigator reported. Some raised safety worries about potassium-based substitutes for people who must limit potassium. The FDA said substitutes must still meet existing safety rules.
Most of the changes take effect Dec. 14. Milk and cheese rules follow a different process. Objections to those are due Nov. 12, FoodNavigator reported.
What we know: Makers of 139 standardized foods may now replace some or all added salt with safe substitutes.
What we don't: How many companies will reformulate products, and whether any objections will delay the dairy changes.
Where outlets agree FoodNavigator and The National Law Review both report that the rule amends 80 standards directly and 59 more by cross-reference, for 139 foods in all.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.