Kraft Foods Inc. announced that it is on track to complete a three-year initiative to reduce sodium by an average of 10 percent across its North American portfolio by year end. Through these efforts, Kraft has already eliminated the equivalent of 14 million pounds of salt, or 1 billion teaspoons, from the North American diet annually.
"Sodium plays several important roles in food, including enhancing taste and texture, as well as helping keep products fresh," said Russ Moroz, vice president, research, development & quality, in a prepared statement. "But our scientists and product developers also know that more than half of North Americans are interested in lowering their sodium intake. So, we worked hard to make meaningful reductions in sodium, without sacrificing the taste, quality or safety of some of North America's favorite foods."
Kraft Foods' sodium reduction efforts reach across the company's North American product portfolio. Staples such as Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, Breakstone's 2 percent Cottage Cheese and Oscar Mayer Bacon had reductions of more than 10 percent. And for many other Kraft Foods products, the results far exceeded this goal, including:
- Kraft Original BBQ Sauce, 40 percent
- Kraft Easy Mac Cups Original and Triple Cheese, 30 percent
- Teddy Grahams Honey Graham Snacks, 25 percent (while boosting whole grain content to 8 grams per serving)
- Oscar Mayer Deli-Fresh Smoked Ham and Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna, 25 percent
- Kraft Singles American Slices, 18 percent
In total, Kraft Foods has reduced sodium content in more than 1000 SKUs across 24 different product categories. And today, the company offers more than 100 products that are either low, reduced or no sodium, including Oscar Mayer Lower Sodium Bacon; Planters Lightly Salted Nuts; and Hint of Salt crackers, including Triscuit, Ritz, and Wheat Thins.
Product reformulation has long been a hallmark of Kraft Foods' approach to health and wellness. Since 2005, the company has either launched or improved the nutritional profile of over 1500 SKUs in North America. Kraft Foods also has reduced sodium, sugar and fats as well as increased fiber, whole grain and other important nutrients across nearly 25 percent of its portfolio.
