The Salt Institute fights back NYC Mayor Michael Bloomber as the latter in his effort to reduce salt consumption compares it to asbestos. The institute called the comparison as manufactured hysteria and released the following statement.
In an astounding misstatement of fact, New York’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg has compared salt, a nutrient essential for life, to asbestos in schools. After being challenged on his initiative to get food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce sodium by 25%, Bloomberg replied: “Salt and asbestos, clearly both are bad for you. Modern medicine thinks you shouldn’t be smoking if you want to live longer. Modern medicine thinks you shouldn’t be eating salt or sodium.”
The food scientist responsible for the original introduction of folic acid, biotin and fiber supplementation into commercial food products in North America, Morton Satin, Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at the Salt Institute, expressed astonishment that a public official would tell people to take an action that could result in their illness or death. “Salt is vital to life. Salt (sodium chloride) courses constantly through our circulatory system. A shortage of this essential nutrient can cause serious health risks, even death. For the mayor to declare it as dangerous as asbestos and instruct people not to consume it is preposterous at best, dangerous at worst.”
Satin cautioned that the city’s salt reduction initiative, which pressures food manufacturers to voluntarily cut sodium content 20 to 25 percent by 2014, is based on a false premise and shaky science. “While no one doubts that a certain proportion of our population may experience modest blood pressure declines from salt reduction, it has by no means been scientifically established that a population-wide reduction will benefit health outcomes. Indeed, the literature abounds with references alluding to possible harm for some,” stated Satin.
The Japanese and the Swiss are the world record holders for longevity and they consume higher levels of salt than all other countries. Mediterranean diet consumers, such as the Italians, consume 40% more salt than Americans, but because they eat a balanced diet with plenty of salads and vegetables, they have the best cardiovascular figures in the world. “I’m concerned that the reduction in salt in canned vegetables could lead to less vegetables being consumed. This would be harmful to consumers, especially children,” said Satin.
Satin said, “The Mayor is insulting the intelligence of citizens, including orthodox Jews, who have been using salt to kosher meat for millennia. Fortunately, as Hebrew National says, ‘They answer to a higher authority.’”
Satin said his chief concern is the potential harm from unintended consequences, including introduction of salt replacements--an arsenal of synthetic chemical products that have never been tested for their interactions and toxicities at the projected levels. According to Satin, it is little different than replacing hard animal fats with trans fats or cane sugar with the several industrial chemicals we call sugar replacers today. “Sooner or later, a fuller understanding of their toxicities will be revealed, but no one will be around to take responsibility for the ill-conceived strategy that prompted them,” said Satin. “Before we subject a generation of consumers to one of the largest clinical trials ever carried out, without their knowledge and without their consent, I ask health officials to use their talent, training and common sense to place this whole matter into perspective,” concluded Satin.
Written by Lori Roman
The Salt Institute
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