Would you be in favor of government limits on the amount of sodium that can be put into processed food?

[acri1]

But all of this takes me back to my original position. Much of this can be accomplished just by being aware of what you're eating and how much of it you're eating.

Nobody is saying otherwise, but that's missing the point. Most people aren't going to do all that, especially every meal.

The idea is to reduce heart attacks and strokes on a population-wide level and reduce the burden on the health care system. You seem to be thinking extremely individualistically but some issues are more effectively addressed on a larger scale. If you really want to prevent deaths then reducing sodium in the food supply is just more effective than telling people to cook.

 

[mastermind]

Of course, the government should. Why would anyone be against this?

 

[Pressure]

Nobody is saying otherwise, but that's missing the point. Most people aren't going to do all that, especially every meal.

The idea is to reduce heart attacks and strokes on a population-wide level and reduce the burden on the health care system. You seem to be thinking extremely individualistically but some issues are more effectively addressed on a larger scale. If you really want to prevent deaths then reducing sodium in the food supply is just more effective than telling people to cook.

I already said I don't care if people die due to their own poor choices. I've been clear on this across a multitude of subjects for years.

I'm all for business accountability too, but not if we aren't holding people accountable either.

And all I've been seeing is a bunch of, but but but people can't be bothered to check food labels or know what a cup is.

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I don't think it's an absurd ask for people to use the resources available to them to make healthier life decisions.

How much sodium reduction would you like to see? What is a realistic number to you?

you're acting like "healthy" foods don't get over laden with sodium. you buy tortillas, beef, taco seasoning, cheese or taco sauce and salad with an oil based dressing to make dinner for your family and there is still tons of sodium. these are average daily choices, no one is benchmarking this to people feeding their family fish sticks, hot wings and french and lettuce slathered in ranch dressing

i already put a #, no one item/serving should be more than 20% the DV of sodium. does that mean people won't go over? no. but it's a very high threshold and thus realistic number where there's really no reason for it to be exceeded outside of things like cured meats where salt is the "cooking" process. there are a ton of foods where a serving is 30-60% of your sodium. that's wild

 

[acri1]

I already said I don't care if people die due to their own poor choices. I've been clear on this across a multitude of subjects for years.

I guess we just have a different perspective then that seems a little callous and shortsighted to me though.

Personally I think anything that reduces the number of strokes and heart attacks people have is a good thing, don't really care about assigning blame. Someone having a stroke doesn't only affect them, it's a burden on hospitals and insurance companies, on their families (especially if they become disabled), on their employer, etc. Having this type of thing happen less often benefits more than just the one affected person.


But that's just my commie take I guess.

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

I already said I don't care if people die due to their own poor choices. I've been clear on this across a multitude of subjects for years.

I'm all for business accountability too, but not if we aren't holding people accountable either.

And all I've been seeing is a bunch of, but but but people can't be bothered to check food labels or know what a cup is.

then this is all that needs to be said, because you've made no valid point as to how it's overreaching to have sodium limits. we limit how many insect parts can be in packaged foods, is that overreaching too? should people just read the label for ant parts per million? we banned red 40....was that overreaching? should people be left reading the label for red 40?

 

[NZA]

im fine with it as long as it doesnt ban things that have to be salty, like salted fish or saladitos. there's ethnic cuisine that needs those kinds of foods.

 

[mastermind]

im fine with it as long as it doesnt ban things that have to be salty, like salted fish or saladitos. there's ethnic cuisine that needs those kinds of foods.

I think limiting is fine, tbf and its only in processed foods.

If you making saladitos or salt fish or whatever, then go crazy.

 

[Pressure]

I guess we just have a different perspective then that seems a little callous and shortsighted to me though.

Personally I think anything that reduces the number of strokes and heart attacks people have is a good thing, don't really care about assigning blame. Someone having a stroke doesn't only affect them, it's a burden on hospitals and insurance companies, on their families (especially if they become disabled), on their employer, etc. Having this type of thing happen less often benefits more than just the one affected person.


But that's just my commie take I guess.

Nah, it just that you’re lauding a program that is voluntary and created a thread asking if we should do something similar when we already are.



Just confused about why it’s suitable for the Uk and not suitable here.

 

[Pressure]

then this is all that needs to be said, because you've made no valid point as to how it's overreaching to have sodium limits. we limit how many insect parts can be in packaged foods, is that overreaching too? should people just read the label for ant parts per million? we banned red 40....was that overreaching? should people be left reading the label for red 40?

Because the entire premise of the thread is false.

The study analyzed data relating to a voluntary salt reduction scheme’s health and economic impacts. The scheme was launched voluntarily by policymakers and industry stakeholders between 2003 and 2018.

 

[NZA]

I think limiting is fine, tbf and its only in processed foods.

If you making saladitos or salt fish or whatever, then go crazy.

i figured once you preserved it with salt, it is processed, so those things might be included in regulations if no exceptions are made

 

[mastermind]

i figured once you preserved it with salt, it is processed, so those things might be included in regulations if no exceptions are made

Maybe, but I think the FDA sees processed food and packaged food as separate. Ground beef is processed and packaged, but whole fish is packaged.

IDK, it is shaky on these grounds. I think my big concern is canned foods and other processed foods that poor people can afford.

 

[Pressure]

then this is all that needs to be said, because you've made no valid point as to how it's overreaching to have sodium limits. we limit how many insect parts can be in packaged foods, is that overreaching too? should people just read the label for ant parts per million? we banned red 40....was that overreaching? should people be left reading the label for red 40?

I think it's overreaching because it's unnecessary. If you think the labels are unclear, the case can be made and almost certainly accepted again that they need to be more clear.

But are we not in a thread about the successes of a voluntary salt reduction program in the Uk?

Impact of the UK voluntary sodium reduction targets on the sodium content of processed foods from 2006 to 2011: analysis of household consumer panel data - PubMed

The UK FSA voluntary targets delivered a moderate reduction in the mean sodium content of UK processed foods between 2006 and 2011. Whilst encouraging, regular monitoring and review of the UK sodium reduction strategy will be essential to ensure continued progress.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

. The UK salt reduction programme reduced the population’s salt intake by gradual reformulation on a voluntary basis. Several countries are following the United Kingdom’s lead. The challenge now is to engage other countries with appropriate local modifications. A reduction in salt intake worldwide will result in major public health improvements and cost savings

And is the US not currently engaging in a similar program?

FDA Publishes Final Guidance on Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals for Processed, Packaged, and Prepared Foods

On October 13, 2021, FDA issued final guidance on voluntary targets for reducing sodium in commercia ...

www.cov.com

Is your position that voluntary programs aren't enough and there needs to be a mandate because that seems to be the point of contention here.

 

[Pressure]

Maybe, but I think the FDA sees processed food and packaged food as separate. Ground beef is processed and packaged, but whole fish is packaged.

IDK, it is shaky on these grounds. I think my big concern is canned foods and other processed foods that poor people can afford.

The government could achieve many of these aims by placing limits on the types of foods that qualify for SNAP and WIC.

 

[Pressure]

you're acting like "healthy" foods don't get over laden with sodium. you buy tortillas, beef, taco seasoning, cheese or taco sauce and salad with an oil based dressing to make dinner for your family and there is still tons of sodium. these are average daily choices, no one is benchmarking this to people feeding their family fish sticks, hot wings and french and lettuce slathered in ranch dressing

i already put a #, no one item/serving should be more than 20% the DV of sodium. does that mean people won't go over? no. but it's a very high threshold and thus realistic number where there's really no reason for it to be exceeded outside of things like cured meats where salt is the "cooking" process. there are a ton of foods where a serving is 30-60% of your sodium. that's wild

Nothing about buying a El Paso Taco pack says making healthy decisions for your family.


And people should totally have the option to buy foods that have over 20% of their DV. Imagine running on banning hotdogs and hamburgers