Avoid Salt guide
Sodium terms and food-label glossary
These definitions cover the main sodium, salt, serving-size and U.S. food-label terms used across Avoid Salt.
Sodium
An essential mineral and chemical element. Nutrition Facts labels report sodium in milligrams. Sodium can come from salt and from other sodium-containing ingredients.
Salt
In ordinary food use, salt usually means sodium chloride. Sodium makes up about 40% of sodium chloride by weight.
Sodium chloride
The chemical compound commonly used as table salt. It contains sodium and chloride.
Daily Value
A reference amount used on U.S. Nutrition Facts labels. The FDA Daily Value for sodium is 2,300 mg.
Percent Daily Value (%DV)
The percentage of a Daily Value supplied by one labelled serving. FDA uses 5% DV or less as a general guide for a low amount and 20% DV or more as a high amount.
Serving size
The labelled quantity to which the nutrition information applies. It is a standardized label amount and is not necessarily the portion a particular person should eat.
Servings per container
The approximate number of labelled servings in the package. Eating the entire package can therefore mean consuming multiple times the sodium shown for one serving.
Sodium free or salt free
Under FDA sodium claim rules, this means less than 5 mg sodium per serving under the applicable regulatory criteria.
Very low sodium
An FDA nutrient-content claim generally indicating 35 mg sodium or less per serving under the applicable criteria.
Low sodium
An FDA nutrient-content claim generally indicating 140 mg sodium or less per serving under the applicable criteria.
Reduced sodium
A comparative FDA nutrient-content claim indicating at least 25% less sodium than an appropriate reference food. It does not automatically mean the product is low in sodium.
No salt added or unsalted
A claim indicating that salt was not added during processing under the applicable FDA conditions. The product can still contain sodium from the food itself or from other ingredients.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate is a sodium-containing flavor enhancer. Its sodium contributes to the total sodium declared on the Nutrition Facts label.
Sodium bicarbonate
Also known as baking soda. It contains sodium and can contribute to the total sodium in baked or processed foods.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
The Daily Value for sodium on U.S. Nutrition Facts labels is 2,300 mg. FDA guidance describes 5% Daily Value or less per serving as low and 20% or more as high.
Verified 2026-08-10 - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FDA consumer guidance explains sodium sources, serving-size arithmetic, sodium-containing additives and common sodium nutrient-content claims.
Verified 2026-08-10 - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FDA regulates nutrient-content claims such as sodium-free, low sodium, reduced sodium and related comparative claims.
Verified 2026-08-10 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The body needs a small amount of sodium; excess sodium can raise blood pressure; most U.S. sodium intake comes from packaged and restaurant foods; federal guidance recommends less than 2,300 mg daily for teens and adults.
Verified 2026-08-10