title: Legal Regulation of Sodium Consumption to Reduce Chronic Conditions.
abstract: In the United States, tens of thousands of Americans die each year of heart disease, stroke, or other chronic conditions tied to hypertension from long-term overconsumption of sodium compounds. Major strides to lower dietary sodium have been made over decades, but the goal of reducing Americans' daily consumption is elusive. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been urged to consider stronger regulatory limits on sodium, especially in processed and prepared foods. Still, FDA categorizes salt (and many other sodium compounds) as "generally recognized as safe," meaning they can be added to foods when ingested in reasonable amounts. Legal reforms or actions at each level of government offer traditional and new routes to improving chronic disease outcomes. However, using law as a public health tool must be assessed carefully, given potential trade-offs and unproven efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Law and Policy Program, Western Region Office, Network for Public Health Law, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, 1100 S McAlister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287-7906. Email: james.hodge.1@asu.edu.
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
authors.forename: Leila F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Barraza
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D018673:Nutrition Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary