Sodium Reduction Initiative

#BreakUpWithSalt Campaign Overview

The facts are simple. We are eating too much sodium and it’s putting our health at risk. In order to succeed, we know a change needs to happen in our food. So, the AHA sodium reduction initiative focuses on shaping the food supply chain by driving commitments for healthier food and building a sustainable culture of healthier food options for all people. For this campaign to succeed, supporters like you need to take action and demand change with your voice, your wallet, and even your vote.

Sodium is hiding in foods you wouldn’t expect. You deserve the right to choose how much sodium is in your food, so that you and your family can lead a healthier life. The American Heart Association is committed to your (and your family’s) health. With you, our supporters, we are asking for changes in the way people eat and shop, the way food companies and restaurants make food, and the way policy makers support healthy eating.

Take back control from the food industry by joining our community and taking action. You have the power to make industry and government change sodium in the food supply. Join our growing community, take action, and get helpful tips on ways to break up with salt.

Take Action

The AHA sodium initiative relies on thousands of dedicated supporters who take action to change the food supply. As a campaign, we have written more than 19,000 letters to food companies and restaurants. Take action today!

Contact Us

Bridget O’Leary
Bridget.OLeary@heart.org
214-706-1152

SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT

• Gathering Experts to Explain the Science
  • The Science is Clear: Most Americans need more Moderate Levels of Sodium
  • Sodium: The Sneaky Source of a Silent Killer
• Supporting the Latest Science

CONSUMER MATERIALS

• Providing Education and Information
  • Thinking about reducing the sodium in your and your family’s diet? You’ve come to the right place! We’ll show you how too much sodium sneaks into your diet and how it hurts your health, and share tips for kissing that excess salt goodbye. And, we’ll give you the resources and tools you need to take action and change the foods you eat.

• Publishing a Weekly Blog
  • Our weekly blog features the latest news, science, and information about all things sodium, written by the sodium reduction team, guest bloggers, and experts.
  • Here’s how we are urging the food industry to reduce sodium

• Displaying New Information
  • Infographics give consumers the information they need.
  • Videos feature easy ways for advocates to join the campaign.

INDUSTRY COMMITMENTS

• Taking Action
  • The campaign encourages advocates to take action and promote health
  • AHA president Steve Houser was published on his view: Dear Food Industry: Please Don’t Pass the Salt

• Building momentum: food companies commit to healthier offerings
  • The American Heart Association and Aramark Announce Significant Progress
  • American Heart Association applauds Nestlé
  • American Heart Association congratulates Mars Food

ADVOCACY

• Supporting FDA’s Draft Voluntary Sodium Targets
  • FDA’s Sodium Targets a Step in the Right Direction
  • American Heart Association Calls on the Food Industry to Support FDA Sodium Targets

• Advocating for Healthier School Lunch
  • Healthy School Lunch Law Thrives

• Support of Sodium Warning Label in New York City
  • The American Heart Association applauds the New York appellate court decision on sodium ‘warning’