Nestle is initiating new steps in support of sodium reduction, as the US Food and Drug Administration considers issuing voluntary guidelines on sodium levels in packaged food.
The Swiss food company has decided to help people limit their sodium consumption to 2,000 milligrams per day as per World Health Organisation (WHO).
As part of its efforts, Nestle is planning to increase its low sodium portfolio of food and beverages across the globe. These items would characteristically carry less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.
In 250 products and six of Nestle's pizza and snack brands such as Digiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack's, Hot Pockets and Lean Pockets, the company is planning to reduce sodium content by an average 10% as compared to 2013 levels.
Nestlé USA chairman and CEO Paul Grimwood said: "Our food and beverages provide nutrition to people in 189 countries, and with this scale we have a powerful platform to contribute to better global health outcomes, including for heart health.
"We are committed to constantly improving the nutritional profile of our products, but we also recognize that effective solutions to public health challenges require broad, multi-stakeholder efforts.
"This is why we encourage our industry colleagues, along with others in both the private and public sector, to join forces and combine our varied expertise to help people move toward healthier eating patterns, including a diet lower in sodium."
Nestle is working in accordance with its Nutrition Profiling System and the Nestlé Nutritional Foundation criteria to ensure that the altered foods and beverages include a strong nutritional profile, without taste getting compromised.
Nestlé also aims to help people with access to the foods, beverages and information they need to make choices consistent with the latest sodium recommendations and other dietary guidance, such as the FDA's draft sodium reduction targets.
Through Nestlé Portion Guidance, which is a voluntary initiative developed to bridge the gap between international dietary recommendations and nutrition labelling regulations, Nestle plans to build sodium reduction awareness among people.
