Burning Question: How much salt will the government let you eat?

The Food and Drug Administration wants Americans to eat less salt. And the agency is willing to wait a decade for it to happen.

The FDA intends to analyze salt levels in a wide variety of products in the $600 billion processed food market, the Washington Post reports today. Then the agency plans to work with manufacturers to gradually reduce sodium in these products.

"This is a 10-year program," a source told the paper. "This is not rolling off a log. We're talking about a comprehensive phase-down of a widely used ingredient. We're talking about embedded tastes in a whole generation of people."

Of course, salt -- like everything else, it seems -- has its defenders. The Salt Institute, which represents salt producers, says regulation "would be a disaster for the public."

FDA plans to limit amount of salt allowed in processed foods for health reasons
(Washington Post)

Burning Question is a recurring feature that looks at key issues and compelling stories being explored at other publications and social media sites.