U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Nutrient Data Laboratory: Beltsville, MD
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Northeast Area Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center Nutrient Data Laboratory Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            GILLESPIE, CATHLEEN - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            MALOUF, JOYCE - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            YUAN, KEMING - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            COGSWELL, MARY - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            GUNN, JANELLE - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            LEVINGS, JESSICA - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United Statesitem
                                            Moshfegh, Alannaitem
                                            Ahuja, Jaspreetitem
                                            MERRITT, ROBERT - Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) - United States
  Submitted to: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
                                    Publication Type: Research Technical Update
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2014
                                    Publication  Date: 11/26/2014
                                    Publication URL: http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/80400525/Articles/AJCN101_344-353.pdfCitation: Gillespie, C., Malouf, J., Yuan, K., Cogswell, M.E., Gunn, J., Levings, J., Moshfegh, A.J., Ahuja, J.K., Merritt, R. 2014. Sodium content in US packaged foods 2009. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 101:  344-353.Interpretive Summary: Most Americans consume more sodium than is recommended, the vast majority of which comes from commercially processed packaged and restaurant foods.  In 2010, the Institute of Medicine recommended food manufacturers reduce the amount of sodium in their products.  Monitoring sodium in packaged foods is necessary to evaluate the impact of these efforts. Using commercially available data from Nielsen and Gladson, we created a database with sales and Nutrition Facts Panel information for nearly 8,000 packaged food products sold in US grocery stores in 2009.  We estimated the sales-weighted mean and distribution of sodium content (mg/serving, mg/100 g, and mg/kcal) of packaged foods within food groups that contribute the most dietary sodium to the US diet. We estimated the proportion of products within each category that exceed 1) the FDA’s limits for the sodium in foods using a “healthy” label claim; 2) 1,150 mg/serving, or 50% of the maximum daily intake recommended in the 2010DGA; and 3) 1.15 mg/kcal (the maximum sodium density for the DASH “intermediate” sodium diet). Products in the meat mixed dishes category had the highest mean and median sodium content per serving (966 and 970mg, respectively). Products in the salad dressing and vegetable oils category had the highest mean and median sodium concentration per 100 grams (1,072 and 1,067 mg/100g). Sodium density was highest in the soup category (18.4 mg/kcal). More than half of the products sold in 11 of the 20 food categories examined exceeded the FDA limits for products with a “healthy” label claim. In 4 categories, more than 10% of the products sold exceeded 1,150 mg/serving. In 6 categories the sodium density of all products sold exceeded 1.15 mg/kcal. The top contributors of sodium have a wide range of sodium content, and many with a large proportion exceeded limits, indicating potential for reduction. Ongoing monitoring efforts will aid in assessing sodium reduction progress.
                                Technical Abstract: In 2010, the Institute of Medicine recommended food manufacturers reduce the amount of sodium in their products.  Monitoring sodium in packaged foods is necessary to evaluate the impact of these efforts. Using commercially available data from Nielsen and Gladson, we created a database with sales and Nutrition Facts Panel information for nearly 8,000 packaged food products sold in US grocery stores in 2009. Sales-weighted mean and distribution of sodium content (mg/serving, mg/100 g, and mg/kcal) of packaged foods within food groups that contribute the most dietary sodium to the US diet were estimated and compared against several recommendations.  More than half of the products sold in 11 of the 20 food categories examined exceeded the FDA limits for products with a “healthy” label claim. The top contributors of sodium have a wide range of sodium content indicating potential for reduction. The database will provide baseline sodium information to examine progress over time. Ongoing monitoring efforts will aid policy makers and public health officials in assessing sodium reduction progress.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov