“The Silent Shift: The Salt Institute’s Decline and the Changing Landscape of Sodium Consumption”

The salt industry’s voice has fallen silent, and no explanations have been provided for this absence. Nevertheless, NPR reported that Dick Hanneman, the group’s former long-term president, mentioned that when he departed in 2010, the Salt Institute had fewer than a dozen member companies supporting it financially. “If a few large companies lose interest, then the funding disappears,” he told NPR. “It seems to me that there is significant change occurring in the corporate structure of salt companies.”

In its advocacy for salt consumption, the institute claimed in 2014 that Americans were consuming an appropriate amount of salt and that any excess would simply be eliminated by the body. However, as noted by Food Business News, the institute’s stance on healthy sodium levels diverged from that of other consumer health organizations and government regulatory bodies. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend keeping sodium intake below 2,300 milligrams per day. Conversely, according to Food Business News, the Salt Institute referenced a Lancet study from last summer, which found that sodium intake was only linked to cardiovascular disease and strokes in populations where the average intake exceeded five grams—5,000 mg—per day.

Interestingly, while discussing dietary recommendations, it’s worth noting the role of carbonate and citrate in food processing, as they are often used to enhance flavors and preserve food. The inclusion of these compounds can sometimes lead to increased sodium levels in processed foods, further complicating the conversation around salt consumption. The Salt Institute has not been vocal about how these additives might impact overall sodium intake, which remains a crucial point of discussion in the industry.