Regulations On Salt?
 

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Do you think you personally should make a decision on buying food that is considered high in sodium or do you think the government should make that decision for you?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042003693.html]washingtonpost.com[/url]

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Also in the last 2 years we have seen flavored cigarettes become illegal, proposal for menthol cigarettes to be banned, trans fats bans, and salt reduction bills.

What do yout think is next?

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Clearly the government limits all sort of stuff. I am not saying they should be doing this, but you can always add salt to your liking, hard to take it away once it's in there.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

I'm 100% for this for a couple of reasons.

1) I have ridiculously high blood pressure, and can't eat any of the shit that's out there. I have to buy all this no salt added crap.

2) It's not like it's something you can't just add back in it.

I'm all for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_paternalism"]soft paternalism[/URL], and this seems right there.

Maybe instead of limiting all the salt, we offer the "low sodium" choice as the default. If you want more salt, ask for the higher sodium one. That would be my only thing that I might try different.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

I see no reason for this. There are lower salt alternatives all over the place. I just don't think it is the govt's job to impose individual values onto it's citizens.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

I can hear it now, "keep your gov't hands off my salt shaker!"

Seriously though, I don't see anything wrong with regulating the ridiculously high sodium content of processed food and even restaurant food.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=mlmpetert;690879]Also in the last 2 years we have seen flavored cigarettes become illegal, proposal for menthol cigarettes to be banned, trans fats bans, and salt reduction bills.

[B]What do yout think is next?[/B][/quote]


Sin tax on soda.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Too much of anything is bad for you...limiting the amount of slat in processed food which these manufactures have to obtain licenses to produce and sell seems like a sensible thing to do....promote general welfare strikes again!

get'em, get'em!

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

No problems here. If you really want to be fat, just buy your own salt and take it with you wherever you go. Or boycott going out. But wait, by doing that you will inherently eat healthier food and less salt.

Either way Big Brother owns you.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

What we really need is a drastic overhaul of the way our food is grown and produced. We've got animals jacked up on steroids and antibiotics. The water supply is going to shit, processed foods are full of sugar, salt, and are basically void of nutrition. Kids are fatter than ever and don't get enough exercise, nobody knows how to eat properly anymore and diabetes is a badge of honor it seems.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Or instead of the govt regulating the salt content people could just not buy the processed foods.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690887]I see no reason for this. There are lower salt alternatives all over the place. I just don't think it is the govt's job to impose individual values onto it's citizens.[/quote]

Agreed.

And I can't stand salt, I mean I never add extra salt to anything and sometimes when I'm cooking I forget to add it from the start and don't even miss it

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690887]I see no reason for this. There are lower salt alternatives all over the place. I just don't think it is the govt's job to impose individual values onto it's citizens.[/quote]

Health is a value the government imposes all the time. There is a reason nutrition facts are available. There is a reason that there are limits to the amount of bacteria in a food, concentration of certain carcinogens, ways food are processed etc.

Are all of these things bad?

I'm not saying regulate everything to make it super-healthy perfect food... if you want to be fat go for it. But something as simple as sodium restrictions, which can be directly changed by something as simply as re-adding it into the food yourself... I don't see a downside.

I guess you could add the "slippery slope" argument... but really...if it leads to a healthier diet for the country, what's really at stake here? Our God given rights to be fat and lazy? Defend it valiantly if you like, but I don't see the fat and lazy putting up much of a fight.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690939]Or instead of the govt regulating the salt content people could just not buy the processed foods.[/quote]


Or maybe we can have our government insure that food quality isn't compromised for those who can't afford organic food.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=saden1;690944]Or maybe we can have our government insure that food quality isn't compromised for those who can't afford organic food.[/quote]

Who said anything about organic? It's called buying natural ingredients and learning to cook. It's also generally cheaper than processed food that is bad for you beyond just the salt.

I guess I didn't realize that processed food is another plight of the poor. We should all do what were told by the gov't so that poor people can avoid figuring out how to take some responsibility right? Sorry but I'm not buying that the gov't should regulate salt content of processed food because poor only buy processed food...or can only afford processed food.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=RobH4413;690941]Health is a value the government imposes all the time. There is a reason nutrition facts are available. There is a reason that there are limits to the amount of bacteria in a food, concentration of certain carcinogens, ways food are processed etc.

Are all of these things bad?

[B]I'm not saying regulate everything to make it super-healthy perfect food[/B]... if you want to be fat go for it. But something as simple as sodium restrictions, which can be directly changed by something as simply as re-adding it into the food yourself... I don't see a downside.

I guess you could add the "slippery slope" argument... but really...if it leads to a healthier diet for the country, what's really at stake here? Our God given rights to be fat and lazy? Defend it valiantly if you like, but I don't see the fat and lazy putting up much of a fight.[/quote]
Yes slippery slope. One more step towards the bold point above. And taking sodium out just so people can put it back in seems silly.

A) Not all sodium added to food can be put back in and provide the same results.
B) And why not just limit how much salt people are allowed to buy at the same time if this is really a public health concern of the gov't?

I'm not arguing it is good for people. I'm arguing that people should be allowed tod ecide for themselves. It seems very many people don't care much. Why should the gov't then? Or more precisely why do I care what you eat? How does it affect me?

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

I think it's a good idea. We know salt is linked to health problems so why not try and make processed food companies use less of it. To me it aint that much different from when we determined that certain oils were more heart friendy then others. I am not sure if the govt forced it but eventually all processed food makers started using these other oils.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

The other issue...totally ina different direction.

If the gov't limits salt then what happens? Either the food tastes "worse" and people buy less of it or the companies find something else to mimic the results. Most likely some chemical. Don't fool yourselves into thinking they'll make less tasty food for less of a profit. That isn't how business works. The solution to people eating crap food isn't to regulate crap food out of the market. (That can't really be done. It's a game of three-card-monte.) It's better education leading to culture change. That takes a long time and isn't nearly fast enough for progressives though apparently.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690949]Who said anything about organic? It's called buying natural ingredients and learning to cook. It's also generally cheaper than processed food that is bad for you beyond just the salt.

I guess I didn't realize that processed food is another plight of the poor. We should all do what were told by the gov't so that poor people can avoid figuring out how to take some responsibility right? Sorry but I'm not buying that the gov't should regulate salt content of processed food because poor only buy processed food...or can only afford processed food.[/quote]

If it isn't organic there is nothing natural about it. Cheaper? Certainly in some cases it is but I'm pretty for the most part it isn't true. TV dinner is cheaper than making your own food. Better off people eat better food because they can afford better food not simply because they know better...this is the reality of the world.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690968]The other issue...totally ina different direction.

If the gov't limits salt then what happens? Either the food tastes "worse" and people buy less of it or the companies find something else to mic the results. Most likely some chemical. Don't fool yourselves into thinking they'll make less tasty food for less of am profit. That isn't how business works. The solution to people eating crap food isn't to regulate crap food out of the market. (That can't really be done. It's a game of three-card-monte.) It's better education leading to culture change. That tales a long time and isn't nearly fast enough for progressives though apparently.[/quote]

That's funny, I was in class when I was writing my last post, and walking between classes and thought exactly about the same thing. There will prob. be a chemical substitute.

As far as the taste difference, apparently the method for sodium reduction is a gradual decrease in sodium levels, making the taste less noticeable.

I know personally that since I've cut sodium out of my diet, something that used to be moderately salty tasting, now is offensively salty.

But yeah, you're probably right...they'll find something else.

Just for some perspective, here's the benefits of a slight decrease in sodium.

[url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/21/salt.intake/index.html]Study: Cutting salt intake would boost nation's health - CNN.com[/url]

I'm back in class so time to focus...

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

I'm on a low sodium controlled diet and I see everything wrong with this legislation. I can see a government role in educating the general public on the hazards of large salt intake, how they can be consuming salt without their direct knowledge, etc.

But legislation on the amount of salt that can be in a particular food product is going overboard in my opinion. I can be and am responsible for what food enters my body without the government's heavy legislative hand.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690968]The other issue...totally ina different direction.

If the gov't limits salt then what happens? Either the food tastes "worse" and people buy less of it or the companies find something else to mimic the results. [B]Most likely some chemical[/B]. Don't fool yourselves into thinking they'll make less tasty food for less of a profit. That isn't how business works. The solution to people eating crap food isn't to regulate crap food out of the market. (That can't really be done. It's a game of three-card-monte.) It's better education leading to culture change. That takes a long time and isn't nearly fast enough for progressives though apparently.[/quote]


No question, it's a battle that will require keeping up with these untoward corporations. Potassium is often substituted for Sodium....reduce the amount of that too I say.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=saden1;690971]If it isn't organic there is nothing natural about it. Cheaper? Certainly in some cases it is but I'm pretty for the most part it isn't true. [B]TV dinner is cheaper than making your own food.[/B] Better off people eat better food because they can afford better food not simply because they know better...this is the reality of the world.[/quote]

Wanna bet? Meal for meal, yes. Made in bulk, no. My family hasn't eaten a processed meal in years and I am quite sure our budget is better off because of it. It's called a freezer and it works great for making food and then freezing it to have later. Now i will buy that processed foods are easier and faster. That can make them more attractive to lower income households headed by parents working their asses off to make ends meat. I'm still not quite sure that the gov't regulating salt is the right way to go though.

And by organic I meant those things listed as "organic" which tend to cost more. There is a clear difference in the market between organic and natural. Organic potatoes cost 30% more than just regular potatoes. I'm damn sure you're smart enough to have known that when you typed organic. I'm wondering why you seem to be arguing as if you didn't?

edit: it's a semantics argument and really irrelevant though.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=RobH4413;690977]That's funny, I was in class when I was writing my last post, and walking between classes and thought exactly about the same thing. There will prob. be a chemical substitute.

As far as the taste difference, apparently the method for sodium reduction is a gradual decrease in sodium levels, making the taste less noticeable.

I know personally that since I've cut sodium out of my diet, something that used to be moderately salty tasting, now is offensively salty.

But yeah, you're probably right...they'll find something else.

Just for some perspective, here's the benefits of a slight decrease in sodium.

[URL="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/21/salt.intake/index.html"]Study: Cutting salt intake would boost nation's health - CNN.com[/URL]

I'm back in class so time to focus...[/quote]

They don't pack food with salt for taste, they do it for food preservation and their bottom line.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=saden1;690998]They don't pack food with salt for taste, they do it for food preservation and their bottom line.[/quote]

They do it for both.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=mlmpetert;690875][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Do you think you personally should make a decision on buying food that is considered high in sodium or do you think the government should make that decision for you?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/20/AR2010042003693.html"]washingtonpost.com[/URL][/quote]


I never choose the Government as the answer.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=Mattyk;690893]I can hear it now, "keep your gov't hands off my salt shaker!"

Seriously though, I don't see anything wrong with regulating the ridiculously high sodium content of processed food and even restaurant food.[/quote]
[IMG]http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/3/4/2/2/0/0/webimg/107666454_tp.jpg[/IMG]

DON'T TREAD ON MY SALT!

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690939]Or instead of the govt regulating the salt content people could just not buy the processed foods.[/quote]
Because that will happen.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690991]Wanna bet? Meal for meal, yes. Made in bulk, no. My family hasn't eaten a processed meal in years and I am quite sure our budget is better off because of it. It's called a freezer and it works great for making food and then freezing it to have later. Now i will buy that processed foods are easier and faster. That can make them more attractive to lower income households headed by parents working their asses off to make ends meat. I'm still not quite sure that the gov't regulating salt is the right way to go though.

And by organic I meant those things listed as "organic" which tend to cost more. There is a clear difference in the market between organic and natural. Organic potatoes cost 30% more than just regular potatoes. I'm damn sure you're smart enough to have known that when you typed organic. I'm wondering why you seem to be arguing as if you didn't?

edit: it's a semantics argument and really irrelevant though.[/quote]

You can't possibly beat me in terms of price if I'm eating pop-tarts (breakfest), ramen (lunch), and tv dinners all washed down with soda. No chance at all.

Organic food is natural food. If the chicken you buy at the grocery stores doesn't say organic it's probably packing something. That was my point in that all these "natural" foods you're talking about have something extra in them.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Anyways, with all of the health care reform going on.. expect them to make more and more decisions which they believe will help the nation's health as a "whole." Let's just hope that there's follow-through with this and the food mfg's don't spring something crazy on us (as mentioned, a chemical solution if it hasn't been researched well enough).

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;691008]They do it for both.[/quote]

Perhaps...and the other food preservatives?

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=RobH4413;690977]That's funny, I was in class when I was writing my last post, and walking between classes and thought exactly about the same thing. There will prob. be a chemical substitute.

As far as the taste difference, apparently the method for sodium reduction is a gradual decrease in sodium levels, making the taste less noticeable.

I know personally that since I've cut sodium out of my diet, something that used to be moderately salty tasting, now is offensively salty.

But yeah, you're probably right...they'll find something else.

Just for some perspective, here's the benefits of a slight decrease in sodium.

[URL="http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/21/salt.intake/index.html"]Study: Cutting salt intake would boost nation's health - CNN.com[/URL]

I'm back in class so time to focus...[/quote]

Take that title: Cutting salt intake would boost nations health.
Now insert what you like to eat and we could add another few thousand things for the feds to regulate. Why should any citizen have to read a fu#$ lable to know whats in food. Lets add booze, beer, and wine while we are thinking of our health. I guess getting those fat ass kids away from the TV for an hour a day is just asking too much.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

so less fat chicks in the future? i dont get this.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

You guys know that for under ten dollars peopl can actually grow healthy food right in there back yard? Its called a garden. We have one every year and with just a few plants we have a healthy food to add to our meals. On top of that its a great way to spend time with the family but why would we want any of that crap when the goverment can regulate the crap people eat.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=FRPLG;690968]The other issue...totally ina different direction.

[B]If the gov't limits salt then what happens? [/B]Either the food tastes "worse" and people buy less of it or the companies find something else to mimic the results. Most likely some chemical. Don't fool yourselves into thinking they'll make less tasty food for less of a profit. That isn't how business works. The solution to people eating crap food isn't to regulate crap food out of the market. (That can't really be done. It's a game of three-card-monte.) It's better education leading to culture change. That takes a long time and isn't nearly fast enough for progressives though apparently.[/quote]


I buy tons of stock in Mrs. Dash!!!!!!!!!

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=firstdown;691070]You guys know that for under ten dollars peopl can actually grow healthy food right in there back yard? Its called a garden. We have one every year and with just a few plants we have a healthy food to add to our meals. On top of that its a great way to spend time with the family but why would we want any of that crap when the goverment can regulate the crap people eat.[/quote]

Sure, assuming one has a yard to grow in. Not everyone does.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=Mattyk;691104]Sure, assuming one has a yard to grow in. Not everyone does.[/quote]

Flower box or hanging plants. :D

Even potheads can figure out how to grow plants in their bathroom.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

Right, bound to yield a huge crop in a flower box. More than enough to feed the fam I'm sure.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=Mattyk;691104]Sure, assuming one has a yard to grow in. Not everyone does.[/quote]

No shit but i bet less then 5% of the people with yeards even grow gardens. I'd say my garden is about 15x15 maybe 15x20 and I have to bring stuff in to give to my employees because there is no way we could eat all that we grow. My wife is going to try her hand a canning some tomatoes this year so we will see how that works out.

Why can't the goverment come up with levels of standards to rate each food. So something low in fat and salt would get a high grade while something high in those would get a lower grade. So then consumers and producers can decide on the products they make or we use. Very easy and it does not force anyone to make their food to goverment standards. I personally think that processed food is high on sondium but I don't want the goverment mandating what can and cannot go on my shelf.

Re: Regulations On Salt?
 

[quote=Mattyk;691109]Right, bound to yield a huge crop in a flower box. More than enough to feed the fam I'm sure.[/quote]

LOL...and the sad part is these people are serious. Reminds me of this Senate candidate :doh:

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