In light of recent medical studies quantifying the health risks of low-salt diets, the Salt Institute commends congressional legislation that would require further study before schools are forced to slash salt from lunches, potentially harming children.
Salt Institute President Lori Roman says the problem goes beyond school cafeterias to the cracked foundation of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, which aim to put virtually all Americans, not just schoolchildren, on a diet so low in salt it has never been seen in any country.
“We should not subject our schoolchildren or any of our citizens to what amounts to a giant lab experiment," said Roman. "There are negative health consequences of a low-salt diet. For many children, a school lunch is their main meal of the day. They simply need salt, an essential nutrient recent medical studies associate with longer life, less heart disease and lower cholesterol, among other health benefits.”