FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GMA Statement on New York City’s “National Salt Reduction Initiative”
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
January 11, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a statement released today, Robert Brackett, Chief Science and Regulatory Affairs Officer for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), commented on the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (NYC DOH) “National Salt Reduction Initiative” and their draft salt reduction targets for packaged food and food service categories.
“The food industry takes seriously its commitment to develop food and beverage products that help consumers meet the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendations for healthy lifestyles. Part of this effort involves providing choices for consumers interested in managing their salt intake to meet the prescribed goal of 2,300 mg/d of sodium per day.
We support and share New York City’s fundamental objective to reduce sodium intake among the population. We believe that meaningful long-term reductions will be needed and incremental, short-term reductions can be accomplished.
GMA and its member companies have been in discussion over the past year with the NYC DOH on its initiative and we applaud the agency for the time and effort it has focused on this important and complex issue. As targets are reviewed, a key objective must be to promote positive diet and lifestyle changes by the public. In addition, we believe this initiative must become part of a broader dialogue at the national level that includes FDA and USDA which also discusses strategies for public education about salt and diet and health.
Today’s marketplace offers consumers a broad range of foods containing no sodium or low sodium, or with no added salt. Food companies have also been very successful at making incremental reductions in salt levels in food products over time, often employing strategies that result in reductions that may not be obvious to consumers. Many food companies have reformulated products or reduced the use of sodium in processed foods. Processing and packaging technologies also allow for less salt or sodium.
The food industry is committed to providing choices for those consumers interested in managing their salt intake, as well as contributing to reducing risks associated with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. However, the latter goal will require a more holistic approach than one focused simply on a single nutrient such as sodium. Instead, the emphasis should be on helping to reduce obesity through improved energy balance and dietary patterns that are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. This will result in reduced sodium as well as a lower risk for chronic disease.
“We look forward to commenting on the targets released by NYC DOH and to an expanded dialogue on this issue between food manufacturers, retailers, foodservice providers, public health agencies and all concerned stakeholders.”
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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders. In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
Related GMA Documents dealing with - NUTRITION ISSUES
NEWS RELEASE
- July 1, 2010 GMA Statement Regarding House Education and Labor Committee Hearing on Child Nutrition Reauthorization
- June 10, 2010 GMA Statement Regarding Introduction of House Child Nutrition Bill
- May 17, 2010 GMA Statement Regarding HWCF Pledge to Reduce 1.5 Trillion Calories by 2015
- May 5, 2010 GMA Applauds Rep. Ron Kind's Comprehensive Anti-Obesity Legislation
- April 20, 2010 Grocery Manufacturers Association Statement Regarding Institute of Medicine “Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake” Report
- March 24, 2010 GMA Statement Regarding Senate Agriculture Committee Mark-Up of Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
- March 18, 2010 GMA Statement on Standards for School Foods
- March 17, 2010 GMA Statement on Progress Made Toward Reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act
- March 4, 2010 GMA Statement at House Agriculture Appropriations Hearing on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
- January 27, 2010 GMA Response to President Obama's State of the Union Address
- January 20, 2010 GMA Statement on First Lady Michelle Obama's Childhood Obesity Initiative
- January 11, 2010 GMA Statement on New York City’s “National Salt Reduction Initiative”
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