US-based Kraft Foods has announced that it is on track to complete a three-year initiative to reduce sodium by an average of 10% across its North American portfolio by the end of 2012.
As a part of the initiative, the company has already eliminated 14 million pounds or 1 billion teaspoons equivalent of salt from its North American portfolio annually.
Kraft Foods Research, Development & Quality vice president Russ Moroz said the company has put efforts to make essential reductions in sodium, without compromising on the taste, quality or safety of the products.
"Sodium plays several important roles in food, including enhancing taste and texture, as well as helping keep products fresh," Moroz said.
Kraft Foods has reduced sodium content in over 1000 SKUs across 24 product categories. Staples such as Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, Breakstone's 2% Cottage Cheese and Oscar Mayer Bacon had sodium reductions of more than 10%.
The company now offers over 100 products that are either low, reduced or no sodium, which include Oscar Mayer Lower Sodium Bacon; Planters Lightly Salted Nuts; and Hint of Salt crackers, including Triscuit, Ritz, and Wheat Thins.
It has also reduced sodium, sugar and fats and increased fiber, whole grain, other prominent nutrients content across 25% of its portfolio.
