title: Sodium in nutrition policy.
abstract: Salt once was a scarce commodity and for some governments salt tax was an important income. The Na content of a diet without any processed foods or added salt would be approximately 400-500 mg. Food industry contributes substantial amounts of salt. A nutrition policy on Na should include regulation of the Na content in infant formulas and a decreased Na intake to reduce the risk of hypertension and possibly also gastric cancer. Iodized salt is an important source of iodine in many countries. Recommendations regarding Na intake have been given in some recommended dietary intakes and in several dietary guidelines. During the last years a few Western countries have published action programmes regarding Na and hypertension. Very few countries have standards regulating the salt content of certain products but in case any claims are made related to the Na content, this usually has to be declared. Special dietary foods with low Na content and salt substitutes are available in many countries. Standards for such products have been published by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D005515:Food Labeling; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007455:Iodine; D007881:Legislation, Food; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D007455:Iodine; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium