Food Companies Pledge to Reduce Sodium

Heinz, Kraft and Starbucks are among those pledging their commitment to the voluntary National Salt Reduction Initiative.

April 27, 2010

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the cooperation of sixteen food companies in reducing sodium from some of their products, part of a nationwide effort to reduce America??s sodium consumption by 20 percent, the Associated Press reports.

The companies, including H.J. Heinz Co., Kraft Foods Inc. and Starbucks, pledged their commitment to the voluntary National Salt Reduction Initiative.

Heinz said that it plans to reduce sodium by 15 percent in all of its ketchup sold in the U.S., beginning May 1.

"Heinz will continue its efforts to substantially reduce sodium in our products and to meet targets where feasible while offering products that meet consumer expectations for quality and taste, as well as high food safety standards," said Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen.

New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley praised the companies?? commitments, saying, ""Reducing salt intake has been a public health priority for decades...We can now say we are taking the first steps to achieve it."

The salt reduction initiative has a goal of reducing the salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25 percent over the next five years, which would reduce the nation??s salt intake by 20 percent. It is modeled after a similar program in the United Kingdom.

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