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Bloomberg Declares Partial Victory In War On Salt
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 11, 2013
Modified Feb 11, 2013
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Feb 11, 2013
Modified Feb 11, 2013
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This morning Mayor Bloomberg announced that 21 companies voluntarily decreased the amount of salt in their products as part of a program he helped kickstart way back in 2008, when salt licks were sold on every streetcorner and the hit sitcom was Brine Over Braun. "Prior to our National Salt Reduction Initiative, there was no comprehensive approach to lowering sodium in foods," the mayor said in a release. "These companies have demonstrated their commitment to removing excess sodium from their products and to working with public health authorities toward a shared goal—helping their customers lead longer, healthier lives."
The companies who reduced the sodium in their products include Kraft Foods, Goya Foods, Unilever, and mom & pop sandwich shoppe Subway. Ragu tomato sauce now has 20% less sodium per serving, Teddy Grahams (you know goddamn well what Teddy Grahams are don't play dumb) have 33% less sodium, and Kraft Singles have 18% less sodium (but eaten by themselves still contain 100% of your daily recommended allowance of Sadness).
Subway cut back the amount of sodium in their Subway Club by 32%, and their BMT by 27%. In case you needed yet another reminder to cook more this year, 80% of the salt in our diet comes from prepackaged or restaurant food. Though scientists and doctors have disagreed on the impact salt has on heart disease and high blood pressure, Heath Commissioner Thomas Farley was unequivocal when addressing naysayers in December: “The body of evidence demonstrates that excess sodium consumption is an important population-level risk for high blood pressure and is strong and conclusive."
Tagged
mayor bloomberg health initiatives
obesity epidemic
SALT
too much salt
war on salt
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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