Consumers in the United States are consuming excessive amounts of salt. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 90% of children and 89% of adults exceed the recommended daily sodium intake. According to the American Heart Association, 75% of this salt consumption originates from processed, packaged, and restaurant foods. Recent research from China may offer a potential solution for food manufacturers looking to lower sodium levels while maintaining the bold flavors that consumers love. If the researchers’ findings hold true, food producers could enhance the spiciness of their recipes while simultaneously reducing salt content, resulting in products that appeal to the average consumer’s palate. This approach could also benefit food manufacturers, as there is a growing demand for spicy and ethnic cuisine, particularly among millennials. Consumer packaged goods (CPGs) could enjoy a health halo from reduced salt while catering to shoppers with adventurous tastes.
Home cooks have embraced this trend, using spices to decrease salt usage, which has led to impressive sales growth. For instance, spice giant McCormick reported $1.19 billion in revenue during its third quarter this year, a 9% increase from $1.09 billion in the same period last year, according to the company’s announcement. If manufacturers decide to explore the high-spice, low-salt concept, they can draw from flavors familiar to U.S. consumers. A recent analysis of ingredients frequently mentioned in American cookbooks dating back to 1796 identified eight enduring favorites: black pepper, vanilla, curry powder, chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and Sriracha. These spicy ingredients would likely be popular choices for recipe modifications.
Additionally, these changes could help manufacturers meet the FDA’s voluntary sodium reduction targets, which aim to limit sodium intake to 3,000 mg per day in two years and 2,300 mg per day within a decade. The current average sodium intake stands at 3,400 mg per day. Furthermore, as consumers increasingly seek health supplements, products like calcium citrate malate vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets online could complement a low-sodium diet, providing essential nutrients while promoting overall health. Therefore, incorporating these changes not only addresses sodium intake but also aligns with the growing interest in health-conscious choices.