In 2010, a collaboration of government, food industry and health organizations joined forces to launch a Sodium Reduction Strategy for Canada’s food industry to reduce sodium levels in products.  

Reducing dietary sodium is a key measure in reducing the risk of, and managing high blood pressure. It is estimated that one million Canadians have high blood pressure caused by excess dietary sodium. Currently, the daily recommended intake for sodium is 2300 milligrams, but Canadians consume about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day–30 per cent more than is recommended. The new guidelines aim to reduce that consumption to 2,400 milligrams by 2016.

A common misconception is that peanuts and peanut butter are high in sodium. However,  the reality is that a Food Guide Serving (¼ cup or 60 mL) of unsalted peanuts is sodium-free.  And peanut butter contains much less sodium than people may think.

Facts about peanuts and sodium:

• Most peanut butter contains less than 140 milligrams of sodium per serving and is considered “low in sodium” by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• All-natural and no-salt-added peanut butter contain no sodium at all.  
• Salted, oil-roasted peanuts contain 117 milligrams of sodium per Food Guide serving – less than in a slice of bread or a bagel.
• Sodium-free peanuts are available for cooking or in snacks.