Sodium Claims on Food: Low Sodium, Reduced Sodium, Salt-Free, and More

Sodium is a necessary nutrient that we need in order to survive, but the average American gets way too much of it.

Written by Sophia Keller | Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Published on October 25, 2023

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If you’re trying to cut back on sodium, you may wonder what all the different claims on food labels mean. You might see claims like “reduced sodium” on a can of soup, or “lightly salted” on microwave popcorn. Is one better than the other?

Ultimately, if you want to cut back on sodium, the best way is by limiting processed and packaged foods. These foods often have lots of sodium to help with flavor and shelf life. Instead, choose fresh, minimally processed foods as much as possible. 

References

Agócs, R., et al. (2019). Is too much salt harmful? Yes. Pediatric Nephrology (Berlin, Germany).

American Heart Association. (2021). How much sodium should I eat per day?

View All References (1)

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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