City Ad Campaign Targets Salt Intake

The city’s Department of Health has kicked off a new subway ad campaign to convince residents of the five boroughs to cut down on salt.

The ads, which are running in subway cars this month, point out the large range of sodium in packaged foods and ask New Yorkers to compare nutrition labels.

“Most of the salt in our diets comes from packaged food—food that may not even taste salty, such as bread,” Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said. “While we encourage companies to voluntarily reduce sodium in the nation’s food supply, there are steps every shopper can take no. Use labels to choose products with less sodium, a choice that could help reduce your blood pressure and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.”

City residents can receive more information on reducing their salt intake by calling 311 to obtain a copy of the “Choose Less Sodium” health bulletin.

The bulletin suggests choosing fresh foods, which typically have less salt than packaged foods, as well as checking the label when buying raw meat and requesting meals without salt at restaurants.

The ad campaign follows on the heels of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s recent celebration of the 10th anniversary of the city’s smoking ban as well as the city’s failed attempt to institute a ban on large sodas.