For myself, I control blood pressure by a combination of approaches: namely, measuring my own blood pressure, having regular check-ups, taking a prescription medicine daily, never buying or eating potato chips and such, cooking healthful food at home, exercising, and avoiding certain restaurant chains known for their overly fatty-salty-sugary food.

I’d never advocate that anyone eat whatever salt-laden snacks and main courses she wanted at home or in a restaurant and then take a pill to negate the damage. It makes sense for government agencies to provide information about health and nutrition. However, I really question how effective it would be for an agency to set “maximum allowable levels for sodium in foods, slowly reducing the levels over time.” What standards would you set for potato chips, for example? Or for pepperoni pizza?

Also, you failed to mention that these medication can be extremely expensive, placing many people in debt. Beyond this, highly processed foods are often marketed at African Americans, who also have higher instances of hypertension. Isn’t it unethical seeing as this population also historically comes from a lower socio-economic status?

That is another good reason not to mandate limits of sodium in processed or restaurant foods. I, too, think the focus should be on such things as education; voluntary efforts, such as the National Salt Reduction Initiative, started by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; and support of local farmers’ markets.

There should be greater education on the importances of eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
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And, yes, it’s nearly impossible to eat healthy when you’re eating out. It’s so hard if you’re traveling or attending a seminar or otherwise unable to cook for yourself for a time. Perhaps if we, as individual consumers, were to give feedback to some of the restaurants, it would help.