(NBC) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released voluntary guidelines that encourage companies to reduce the amount of sodium found in processed foods.
Although in general Americans have made efforts to reduce the amount of sodium in their diets, most sodium intake comes from processed and prepared foods.
The FDA has issued guidelines that recommend maximum sodium levels for more than 150 categories of manufactured and restaurant products.
It’s estimated that Americans consume 50 percent more sodium than what is recommended, or roughly 3,400 milligrams every day.
Experts say they hope this gradual and voluntary approach will help Americans to reduce their salt intake to just 2,300 milligrams every day. Such a reduction could significantly lower blood pressure and prevent thousands of other illnesses.
Average sodium content per 100 grams, about 3 1/2 ounces, in some top-selling foods, and the new target averages for those foods:
Cream cheese spread
Average sodium content in 2010: 401 mg
Two-year target: 380 mg
Ten-tear target: 340 mg
Salad dressing
Average sodium content in 2010: 1,047 mg
Two-year target: 880 mg
Ten-tear target: 590 mg
Canned, condensed soup
Average sodium content in 2010: 581 mg
Two-year target: 520 mg
Ten-tear target: 430 mg
Ready-to-eat cereal, flakes
Average sodium content in 2010: 647 mg
Two-year target: 550 mg
Ten-tear target: 360 mg
White Bread
Average sodium content in 2010: 523 mg
Two-year target: 440 mg
Ten-tear target: 300 mg
Turkey and chicken deli meats
Average sodium content in 2010: 990 mg
Two-year target: 900 mg
Ten-tear target: 780 mg