ASHEVILLE, N.C.—Ocean's Flavor expressed concern about a "mini-quiz" published in several newspapers across the country. Specifically, the company took issue with the following:
True or false? Sea salt has a lower sodium level than table salt because it is natural. (Answer: false.)
The quiz cited the USDA and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) for facts offered in the quiz. In addition to the circulated quiz, CSPI issued a press release dated December 4, 2008, headlined, "Industry Not Lowering Sodium in Processed Foods, Despite Public Health Concerns."
Ocean's Flavor, which offers all-natural sea salt less in sodium 45% or more, as well as an all-natural lower-sodium sea salt with potassium chloride that results in a 60% to 70% reduced-sodium product, hopes to resolve and clarify specifics pertaining to natural sea salt by offering its own quiz for the food industry.
Q. Why should the food industry be concerned with generalized statements regarding sodium found in processed foods?
According to Al Kirchner, Ocean's Flavor CEO, the government, food industry and consumers have been greatly concerned with the sodium content in their foods, and rightly so. "Because of the link between high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney problems, edema, stroke, gastric cancer and osteoporosis that can be caused by high sodium intake, sea salt has become the best choice for flavor and needed minerals," he said. However, Ocean's Flavor contends these types of indiscriminate condemnations—claiming no enhanced health benefit to natural sea salt—cause confusion for consumers when the "public interest" would imply comprehensible, current and clear information.
Q. What can food processors and the food industry do to make sure accurate, up-to-date and clear information is offered?
A. Kirchner encourages the food industry to respond—often and consistently. "Our top-quality customers—the nation's biggest and best food producers—are diligent and earnest in leading the revolution for a more healthy sea salt option." Alan Fisher, president of Oceans Flavor states, "Our food processing partners are progressive in delivering healthy, natural ingredients that maintain best quality in culinary excellence in taste and texture. Many are shifting their processing to be out in front of the sodium reduction movement with their products."
The CSPI article offers kudos to the United Kingdom, which through the Food Standards Agency, the public health department of the U.K., offers a dynamic "Salt Campaign" constructed to edify and then alter the proclivity for excess salt use in citizens' diets. According to Kirchner, what the U.K. also does well is recognize food industry's efforts in sodium reduction. The U.K. works in cooperation with the food industry and is proactive with informing consumers via a website highlighting those food producers who are lowering sodium in their products.
