A diet high in salt (sodium chloride) is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Despite pleas from government and other health experts over the last quarter-century to reduce salt consumption, Americans are consuming more—not less—salt.

Resources

Heart Attack Entrées and Side Orders of Stroke

Updated 2008 Report: Salt Assault—Brand Name Comparisons of Processed Foods

• Nutrition Guide—Are Your Children Overdosing on Salt?: What Every Parent Needs to Know (February 2008)
• 
  Presentation—Michael F. Jacobson, Executive Director: FDA Public Hearing on Sodium Reduction (November 29, 2007)
   
• Fact Sheet—Salt: the Forgotten Killer (2007)
   
• Report—Salt: the Forgotten Killer (2005, 2009 Update)
   
• Chart: Sources of Sodium in the American Diet
   
• Chart: Americans' Average Sodium Consumption
   
• CSPI Salt Lawsuit—CSPI Sues the FDA (February 24, 2005)
   
• Salt Petition—Petition to revoke FDA's "Generally Recognized As Safe" status of salt (November 8, 2005)
   
• Letter to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt urging him to take steps to lower sodium consumption (November 8, 2005)