The Institute of Medicine reports that on average, Americans consume more than 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults should consume no more than 2,300 (mg) of sodium per day or approximately one teaspoon of salt. Those who fit into one or more of the following categories consume less than 1,500 mg per day:

Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. adult population falls into one or more of these high risk categories.

 

According to the CDC most of the sodium we eat comes from packaged, processed, store-bought and restaurants foods. Avoiding these types of food can be difficult for consumers; however, the health consequences can be even more troublesome.

 

According to the New York State Vital Records, Broome County has a high mortality rate for premature deaths associated with cardiovascular diseases (128.9 per 100,000 compared with a state rate of 108.3 per 100,000) and stroke (37.5 per 100,000 compared with an age-adjusted mortality rate of 29.1).

 

Among high risk populations, African-American males have the highest admission rates for cardiovascular conditions according to hospitalization data from New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Compared to similar counties, the hospital admission rate for hypertension among African Americans in Broome County is twofold.  In addition, according to the NYSDOH 2008-2009 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, Broome County demonstrates a higher rate of self reported hypertension compared to the rest of the State. These and other factors indicate the need for preventative efforts to be implemented in the community to reduce heart disease illness and mortality.

 

“The good news is that research shows blood pressure can respond fairly quickly to even a modest reduction of sodium in the diet,” stated Claudia Edwards, Public Health Director for the Broome County Health Department. 

     

“The typical American diet consists mainly of fast foods and processed foods that contain a high percentage of sodium. Although the food industry has begun to initiate reduction in sodium content of prepared items without sacrificing palatability, taste and flavor, more work needs to be done. Consumer demand for healthier products will help drive that process,” Edwards added.

 

The Broome County Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant is pleased to have the support of many community partners to assist with the challenges of lowering the sodium content in the food supply.  Broome County partners are collectively working to expand policy, systems and environmental changes that will increase fruit and vegetable consumption, lower sodium content in processed foods and impact the burden of cardiovascular diseases associated with a high sodium diet. 

 

Locally, the Rob Salamida Company, founder of the nationally famous State Fair Spiedie Sauce, has stepped up to the public health challenge by creating a new lower sodium alternative in their Gourmet “PINCH” spice blend product line.

 

“In response to the important topic of sodium reduction and the Broome County’s Sodium Reduction in Communities initiative, we, as a local manufacturer of grocery and institutional food products, felt that there is an important need here and we were able to offer a flavorful solution to the problem,” stated Rob Salamida, Founder and Owner of the Rob Salamida Company.

 

Instead of using more salt to flavor foods, people can use our Low Sodium Pinch as an alternative. We’ve always heard how much people really enjoy our line of Pinch spice blends and how some will take it to restaurants with them. The new Low Sodium Pinch demonstrates that manufactures can provide lower sodium options for the majority of adults who need to reduce their sodium intake, which is an important concern for all of us,” adds Salamida.

         

Local Broome County grocery store chain Weis Markets is partnering with the Sodium Reduction in Communities Initiative to provide consumer education events, taste testing, low sodium shopping lists, lower sodium recipes and healthy heart information through their Healthy Bites program. This program is geared to helping consumers eat healthier, which includes education on reducing sodium content in their diets by shopping for lower sodium options to use in their meals. Throughout the months of August and September, Healthy Bites recipe demonstrations and taste testing events are being held at most Weis Markets in Broome County. Consumers will receive Healthy Bites magazine with coupons for lower sodium items along with recipes for lower sodium meals. Price Chopper Supermarkets is also a partner in the sodium reduction effort and has assisted the program with in store education efforts. Both food chains have allowed health department staff to conduct consumer sodium surveys within stores to assist with program evaluation efforts.

  

To enhance the grocery store initiative other community partners, such as United Health Services (UHS), have provided healthy heart and low sodium information to consumers, and the Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension has been very active in all Weis Market locations conducting taste testing of delicious low sodium recipes and providing consumers with education on low sodium alternatives. The local American Heart Association has supported efforts by helping to coordinate activities which feature messages about sodium reduction as a primary goal for maintaining a healthy heart. The Broome County Office for Aging has been a vocal supporter of the initiative and surrounding efforts.

 

Broome Tioga BOCES Food Service has led the initiative for 12 Broome County School districts to reformulate school lunch menus to reduce the sodium content of school lunches. School officials are moving toward enacting a procurement policy which will increase fresh and local produce and provide priority to vendors with lower sodium items.

 

“We are very pleased with the positive response from vendors to provide lower sodium options for schools,” said Ray Denniston, Special Project Coordinator for Broome Tioga BOCES Food Service Program.

 

Recently, the Broome County Health Department in conjunction with Broome Tioga BOCES and Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES conducted wellness policy training with representation from the majority of schools in Broome and Tioga Counties. The training offered schools more information on how to provide healthier lower sodium alternatives for those foods and beverages that are sold outside of the cafeteria such as concession foods, PTA event foods and foods served at school/community meetings.

 

“Taste preferences begin very early in life; therefore, it is important to take into consideration the amount of sodium we give to our children, either through processed foods or from meals eaten away from the home,” Denniston remarked.

 

“We commend the many efforts and contributions of all community partners involved in the success of Sodium Reduction in Communities program thus far,” added Edwards.

 

To strengthen support for the mobilization efforts, the Broome County Health Department has joined the National Salt Reduction Initiative (NSRI), which is a coalition of cities, states and health organizations working to help food manufacturers and restaurants voluntarily reduce the amount of salt in their products. The goal of the NSRI is to reduce Americans' salt intake by 20% over five years.

 

For more information about the CDC National Sodium Reduction in Communities Grant or the National Sodium Reduction Initiative visit the following websites: