Utah People's Post

The Latest News from the Beehive State

Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Log in
  • National News
    • Female Caseworker Killed & Doctor Shot in Philadelphia
  • State News
    • Car Chase Leads to Drug Arrest
  • Tech & Science
  • Health
    • How to Prepare For Ticks Season
    • Magical Weight Loss Bean Scam
  • Sports
  • Business
You are here: Home / Health / Will a Salt Tax Follow FDA’s Voluntary Targets for Reducing Sodium?

Will a Salt Tax Follow FDA’s Voluntary Targets for Reducing Sodium?

Posted by

alt= salt shaker

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed this week voluntary targets for reducing sodium in the diets of Americans, some wondered: Will a salt tax follow closely?

The FDA’s proposal comes shortly after several jurisdictions in the US – and around the world – ponder different forms of sugar taxes. Their efforts are aimed at both raising revenue and reducing the consumption of sugary drinks.

According to the FDA, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and some other foods should be subject to both short-term and long-term voluntary goals for salt. The proposal would require producers to voluntarily “target mean sodium concentrations for each food category.”

So far, some 35 countries have already established similar initiatives for reducing salt in food. In Hungary, for example, the salt tax has already been adopted while New Zealand is still debating one.

There’s no doubt that the FDA believes excess dietary salt is a bad thing for one’s health. In the documentation supporting its proposed regulations, the agency said:

“Research shows that excess sodium consumption is a contributory factor in the development of hypertension, which is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, respectively.”

At the same time, several expert advisory panels have also concluded that there is scientific proof to support the idea that reducing sodium intake is beneficial to public health.

But will voluntary targets be enough to reduce salt consumption? And if they don’t, should policymakers take the next step — tax increases or regulatory limits?

While it is difficult to image the US will ever pass laws limiting the amount of salt in prepared foods, that wouldn’t help much. Who doesn’t have a salt shaker at home to reverse the reduction?

If a tax would be set in place, raising the price of salt will only encourage producers to look for other spices or herbs substitute for high levels of salt and to flavor their prepared foods.

Yet, unlike tobacco, people need a certain amount salt in their diets, a requirement that can’t be substituted with higher levels of oregano, for example.

So what is your opinion on the FDA’s proposed voluntary curbs on salt? Will the agency be able to convince producers to act on their own, or is there a salt tax is in our future?
Image Source: Drink Coco Pro

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email

Filed Under: Health

mm

About Gabrielle Stewart

Gabrielle Stewart graduated from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Graduate Studies with a Masters of Arts in Communication Sciences. She’s an avid reader and a lifelong learner. She likes to cover a wide range of news, but she’s particularly keen on Science.

Woman working out at the gym

Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time

By

Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)

By

United Airlines airplane

Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston

By

Breakfast sandwich

Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat

By

Poppy flower

UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply

By

U.S.-Canada border

French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border

By

Plus size model

Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

By

Giant manta ray

Unique Manta Ray Nursery Spotted off Texas Coast

By

The rainbow flag

WHO Scraps Transgenderism from List of Mental Illnesses

By

456 People Dead at U.K. Hospital after Taking too Many Painkillers

By

Kenyan girls dancing

Kenyans Facing Poor Nutrition as Supermarket Shopping Is on the Rise

By

Pages

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy GDPR
  • Staff
  • Terms and Conditions

Recent Posts

  • Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time
  • Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)
  • Passenger Mysteriously Dies on United Airlines flight Bound for Boston
  • Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat
  • UN Warns of Surge in Opium-based Drugs and Cocaine Supply
  • French Jogger Detained 2 Weeks for Accidentally Crossing Border
  • Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

Related Articles

  • Woman working out at the gym

    Just 23% of Americans Are Working Out Enough in Their Spare Time

  • Poliovirus Therapy Gives Brain Cancer Patients New Hope (Study)

  • Breakfast sandwich

    Here Are Some Foods No Nutritionist Would Ever Eat

  • Normalizing Plus Size Could Fuel Obesity Crisis (Study)

  • The rainbow flag

    WHO Scraps Transgenderism from List of Mental Illnesses

  • 456 People Dead at U.K. Hospital after Taking too Many Painkillers

  • Young woman affected by depression

    If You Have PTSD You Were Likely Abused as a Child

  • Obese dog on a leash

    Obese Dogs Can Help Us Better Understand How Obesity Works

  • Our Brains Are Craving Combinations of Fats and Carbs (Study)

  • Hungry bird with beck open

    Scientists Explain Why We Get ‘Hangry’

Categories

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • National News
  • Nature
  • Provo
  • Salt Lake News
  • Science
  • Sports
  • State News
  • Tech & Science
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • West Jordan
  • West Valley City
  • World

Copyright © 2021 utahpeoplespost.com

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Site Map · Contact

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.