On December 17, 2020, FDA issued final guidance titled “Use of an Alternate Name for Potassium Chloride in Food Labeling” to advise food manufacturers of its intent to exercise enforcement discretion around the name “potassium salt” to better inform consumers that it is a salt substitute.  The enforcement discretion may result in manufacturers using potassium chloride as a substitute ingredient for some sodium chloride which may lead to reduced salt  intake.  This guidance is consistent with previous FDA activities encouraging manufacturers to reduce sodium levels in food products in the interest of public health and to promote healthy food options.  Guidance documents describe FDA’s current thinking on a topic and should be viewed as recommendations rather than legally binding statutory requirements.  Currently, over 70 percent of the sodium consumed in US diets comes from processed and prepared food sources.  This guidance will support food manufacturers by providing flexibility in ingredient use and also provide consumers with understandable ingredient labels which will allow them to make good dietary choices.

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Posted on 1 January 2021