New FDA rule makes it easier for companies to cut sodium

Today, Oct. 13, 2026, FDA published a final rule that permits the use of salt substitutes (such as potassium salt, herbs, and spices) in 139 types of foods subject to "standards of identity" that were previously prohibited from using such ingredients. Standards of identity are federal regulations that stipulate the name, ingredients, and methods of manufacture for specific foods. The rule will affect common staple foods such as cheeses, bread, canned fruits and vegetables, condiments, chocolate, and more. This move is one of several steps necessary to reduce sodium in the US food supply.

Americans consume an average of about 3,100 mg of sodium per day, roughly 35% more than the 2,300 mg recommended daily limit. Overconsumption of sodium increases blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Nearly half of US adults suffer from high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the US.

CSPI lauds this policy, which we first recommended as a commonsense change to outdated food standards in 2018. This rule, along with final guidance issued in 2020 allowing use of the term "potassium salt" as an alternative name for "potassium chloride" on food labels, makes it easier for companies to use potassium salt as a salt substitute in certain processed foods. Swapping sodium chloride for potassium chloride has immense potential for public health benefit, with studies showing it can lead to significant reductions in the rates of stroke, major cardiovascular events, and death. It's now up to the food industry to change product formulations and make our food supply healthier.

There is much left for FDA to do. We urge the agency to publish a final evaluation of the agency's Phase I voluntary sodium reduction targets, issue more aggressive Phase II targets, and finalize a mandatory front-of-package nutrition labeling system that includes warnings on products that are high in sodium. FDA must use all possible tools at its disposal to stop companies from loading our food up with salt.

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Tags

• Food and Drug Administration
• Blood Pressure
• Food Labeling
• Warning Label

Topics

• Government Accountability
• Sodium
• Food Labeling