Flawed Evidence Should Not Derail Sound Policy: The Case Remains Strong for Population-Wide Sodium Reduction

A recent report from Institute of Medicine (IOM)1 along with misinterpretation of its findings by the press2 has generated considerable confusion among the general public, scientists, and policy makers about the health effects of sodium reduction. A subsequent communication by members of the IOM committee summarized the report’s findings in an attempt to clarify their position.3 The purpose of this editorial is to comment on the evidence used by the IOM committee to reach its conclusions and to provide our opinion about the use of this IOM report to guide policy on sodium reduction.