The Food and Drug Administration is working to gradually reduce the amount of salt consumed in processed foods each day by Americans, and thereby hoping to lower death rates from hypertension and heart disease. 

Companies such as Conagra, Pepsico, Kraft Foods, General Mills, Sara Lee, have already begun lowering the amount of salt used in their products.  The reduction will occur over a number of years, so there would be minimal effect on taste, according to an article in the Washington Post in April.

Make healthy choices for your summer picnics!  Eat a variety of seasonal fruit and fresh vegetables every day and limit the foods high in salt, sugar, fat, and calories.

Mary Ircink, parish nurse