More than half of United States shoppers say they know how to use the information found in food nutrition labels to monitor sodium intake, CDC researchers report. And most consumers say they, or the people who shop for their food, buy low-sodium food items.
According to the study, about 1 in 3 respondents agreed they specifically buy foods labeled low or reduced salt or sodium, and nearly half said they check nutrition labels for sodium content as a tactic to lower salt in their diet. This study also suggests that fewer than 20 percent of US adult shoppers are confused about how to figure out how much sodium is in the foods they eat and that more than half believe they know how to use nutrition labels to monitor the amount of salt they eat.
Researchers say the study results suggest a demand for lower-sodium food choices and the presentation of information on the front of food packaging to make choices.
"Food manufacturers can meet this demand [for low sodium foods] by producing food items that are lower in sodium and including this information on the front of their packages," say researchers. "Doing so will offer greater choice and availability for the majority of consumers who want to buy low sodium products."
Article: Reported Use and Perceived Understanding of Sodium Information on US Nutrition Labels, Jessica Lee Levings, MS, RD, LD,