Ocean's Flavor Natural Sea Salt is Helping Companies Reach Low Sodium Goals

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodium consumption is a hot topic around the world and smart companies are working hard to adjust their recipes to find ways to have products that everyone can feel good about eating. There is one option that is all natural, low in sodium—40% to 70% less than table salt—and tastes good.

In 2004, Ocean's Flavor introduced the first and only natural low sodium sea salt. Total sales that year did not even reach $100.00. In fact, President Alan Fisher often jokes about not even being able to give it away. The food industry was geared to salt, salt and more salt. Certainly Ocean's Flavor was ahead of its time. Now that society has opened its eyes to the physical damage excessive salt can do to the body, we see all the salt producers scrambling to introduce their answers to the high sodium food problem we all face.

Because of Ocean's Flavor's patent other companies cannot produce what the FDA would classify as 100% natural salt. Instead, companies are offering chemically-altered salt.  Ocean's Flavor's only business is and has always been natural lower sodium sea salts.

"We are confident we have the answer to lowering the sodium levels in foods. Once you try and test Ocean's Flavor you too will have the answer to your high sodium food problem," says Fisher. "We need to let the industries know that Ocean's Flavor is synonymous with low sodium. It's our business and our ONLY business."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't have regulatory authority to require manufacturers to change the amounts of salt in processed foods at this time, but the agency is conducting research in this area. Will the FDA require limits on the amount of salt in processed foods in the near future?

According to FDA's Consumer Updates page, (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/), at this point in time the FDA's regulatory role is largely concerned with labeling:

Salt is regulated by FDA as a "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) ingredient. FDA requires that sodium content be stated on food labels, [and] has implemented several labeling requirements related to sodium content of foods. FDA sets criteria for nutrient content claims that manufacturers make about foods. Examples are "low sodium" and "reduced in sodium."

Similarly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a product's claim of being "natural": A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled natural. The label must explain the use of the term natural (such as - no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed).

"We are confident we have the ultimate and truly lasting answer to lowering the sodium levels in foods," said Fisher. "The earth gives us such wonderfully robust and sundry foods and flavors it's no wonder it would also provide a healthier, tasty alternative to chemically-produced salt substitutes." As opposed to salts produced and processed in a lab, Ocean's Flavor Natural Sea Salts are "harvested" with a patented all natural evaporation process. The process also maintains 84 necessary minerals for a balanced diet and healthy body.

Indeed, reduced sodium for health is currently one of the hottest topics in health news. Fisher criticizes the replacement of unhealthy sodium levels with chemically-produced or enhanced products.

"Today's consumers are savvy and will reject the added agents and excessive processing in substitutes," he said. "Quality food industry companies are ahead of the curve in pursuing natural lower sodium salts as ingredients in their global products."

Natural Certification:

• All salt supplied by Ocean's Flavor Foods LLC., is designated as containing NO artificial flavor, and has not added any artificial flavoring.
• All Ocean's Flavor sea salts are 100% natural.
• Ocean's Flavor Foods certifies that there are NO preservatives.
• Ocean's Flavor Foods certifies that our salts do not contain any genetically modified materials.

Please visit www.oceansflavor.com.

SOURCE Ocean's Flavor