A proposed set of Food and Drug Administration guidelines for reducing sodium content in food "is tantamount to malpractice," the salt industry's main trade group said Wednesday.

FDA is proposing a set of voluntary guidelines for the food industry to reduce the average American's sodium intake from 3,400 milligrams per day to 2,300 milligrams, which is the level recommended by most health experts. The agency notes that high sodium intake has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

The majority of sodium Americans consume comes from processed and prepared foods, "not the salt shaker," FDA said in a news release. As a result, the agency is asking the nation's largest food manufacturers to cut back on the salt. http://1.usa.gov/1O6HhiC

The Salt Institute alleges FDA's claims fly in the face of scientific evidence. In a statement, the group said the guidelines would "make our food less safe and endanger public health."

"Contrary to the government's recommendations, evidence indicates people on low sodium diets place themselves at risk… Studies show dangerous side effects from lowering sodium below 3,000 mg/day," the group said.

The Salt Institute also said that attempts by other countries to limit sodium intake have ended in "abject failure," although the group provided no examples. The institute argues that while the guidelines will be voluntary, food manufacturers often face intense pressure to comply.

"Hopefully the growing outcry will force the government to right this wrong before more people are harmed," the Salt Institute said. "Meanwhile, regulations and actions based on the faulty guidelines should be dismissed for what they are—malpractice." http://bit.ly/25CUQOC

Not all business groups were as angry with the proposed guidelines as the Salt Institute. The Grocery Manufacturers Association issued a statement welcoming the dialogue with FDA about the acceptable level of sodium in food, although it expressed skepticism about what that level should be.

"Like others inside and outside of government, we believe additional work is needed to determine the acceptable range of sodium intake for optimal health," said Leon Bruner, GMA's chief science officer. "This evaluation should include research that indicates health risks for people who consume too much sodium as well as health risks from consuming too little sodium." http://bit.ly/1P8uQh6

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