According to the US Government Food and Drug Administration is considering mandating national standards for the sodium content of foods. This is considered to be important as the Institute of Medicine estimates that nationwide reductions in salt intake could prevent more than 100,000 deaths annually. The way to reduce the salt in the food is also the way to lower blood pressure and risk of cardio vascular diseases and strokes.

The FDA is working on front of package nutritional labeling which will be clearer and more prominent than back labels and the new federal health care law also helps as the restaurants are required to post their menu's nutritional content. It may be noted that as long as salt promotes excessive eating and consumers tastes are conditioned to prefer p[products with high sodium content , food sellers have an incentive to pack food and that is why the IOM is recommending that the FDA sets legal limits for sodium content in foods, implemented gradually so taste buds can adjust.

Fewer people said, "pass the salt" and more said, "pass up the salt". The trick then is provide the means to protect themselves without dictating their choices. 77 percent of our intake is from prepared and processed foods. It was also noticed that because food makers recognize that combining salt with sugar and fat creates a multilayered cocktail, both tangy and sweet, this leaves the taste buds craving for more.