How to Read Salt Labels

When food companies make sodium claims, they have to follow labeling rules. For the consumer, the tricky part is that there are four claims. Two apply when a company is comparing their food to a loosely defined fully salted version. One refers to a specific sodium level, another to whether salt has been added. Bottom line: The amount of sodium per serving (found on the back label) is critical.

No salt is added during processing. This does not always mean sodium-free; some foods contain sodium naturally.

For Example:

Land O' Lakes Unsalted Butter (0mg)
vs.
Land O' Lakes Salted Butter (95mg)

Sodium Savings: 95mg per 1 tablespoon

Must contain at least 25% less than the original food, a competitor's product, or another reference.

For Example:

Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce (575mg)
vs.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce (920mg)

Sodium Savings: 345mg per 1 tablespoon

Must contain 50% less than the original food, a competitor's product, or another reference.

For Example:

Lay's Lightly Salted Potato Chips (85mg)
vs.
Lay's Classic Potato Chips (180mg)

Sodium Savings: 95mg per 1 ounce

This is the most stringent reduced-sodium label. Each food can have only 140mg or less sodium (natural or added) per serving.

For Example:

Nabisco Wheat Thins Hint of Salt (60mg)
vs.
Nabisco Original Wheat Thins (230mg)

Sodium Savings: 170mg per 16 crackers