January 11/New York/Associated Press Financial Wire -- City health officials have battled trans fats and high-calorie fast food. Now, they are taking on salt. The health department released draft guidelines recommending a maximum amount of salt that should be in a wide variety of manufactured and packaged foods.
Some 17 national health organizations and 25 other city or state health agencies have joined New York City in the effort, called the National Salt Reduction Initiative. It aims to reduce the average American's salt intake by 20% in five years.