FDA's dietary sodium initiative--in the war against hypertension, a new weapon.

The Food and Drug Administration is engaged in a broad-based program to make consumers more aware of the potential impact on health of sodium consumption well in excess of dietary needs; to encourage food manufacturers to lower the amounts of sodium they add to their products, where this is safe and feasible; and to provide information to consumers about the sodium content of the foods they buy and use. This program is expected to be a significant preventive public health measure against hypertension.