About 21 companies in the US have voluntarily lowered salt content in pre-packaged or restaurant foods products, in response to a salt reduction campaign led by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
New York launched the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), a nationwide partnership of over 90 city and state health authorities and organizations, in 2008.
This initiative is aimed at cutting excess salt in packaged and restaurant foods by 25% over five years, a move that will reduce the country's sodium intake by 20%.
The initiative has encouraged 24 companies that distribute food across the country, to pledge to lower the sodium content in some of their products, out of which 21 companies have achieved one or more of their commitments.
The food manufacturers that achieved 2012 NSRI sodium targets include Butterball, Furmano Foods, Goya Foods, Heinz, Ken's Foods, Kraft Foods, LiDestri Foods/Francesco Rinaldi, Mars Foods US, McCain Foods, Mondelez International, Red Gold, Snyder's-Lance, Unilever and White Rose.
Restaurant chains in the line include Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, Subway, and Uno's Chicago Grill; and food retailers include Delhaize America, Fresh Direct, and Target Corporation.
Michael Bloomberg said that these companies have demonstrated their commitment to remove excess sodium from their products, and to work with public health authorities towards a shared goal of helping their customers lead longer, healthier lives.
