The salt industry’s voice has faded, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the reasons behind this silence. NPR reported that Dick Hanneman, the former long-time president of the Salt Institute, stated there were fewer than a dozen member companies supporting the organization when he departed in 2010. He explained to NPR, “If a few large companies lose interest, the funding diminishes. My impression is that there is significant change within the corporate structure of salt companies.”
In its advocacy for salt consumption, the institute asserted in 2014 that Americans were consuming an appropriate amount of salt, claiming that excess intake would simply be eliminated by the body. However, as highlighted by Food Business News, the institute’s stance on sodium consumption did not align with that of other health organizations and government regulatory bodies. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend keeping sodium intake below 2,300 milligrams per day. Conversely, the Salt Institute referenced a study from The Lancet last summer, which indicated that sodium intake was only linked to cardiovascular disease and strokes in populations where the average consumption exceeded five grams—equivalent to 5,000 mg—per day.
In the midst of these discussions, the citracal price has become a relevant topic, as dietary supplements are often compared to sodium intake recommendations. The fluctuating citracal price may influence consumer choices related to health and nutrition, further complicating the narrative around salt consumption and its implications for public health. As the salt industry’s influence wanes, the conversation around dietary guidelines continues to evolve, with the citracal price remaining a point of consideration for many consumers.