The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to permit the use of salt substitutes in numerous foods including cheese, frozen peas, and canned tuna, in an effort to reduce the salt intake of Americans. This proposal is part of a larger strategy to reduce sodium levels in packaged foods by an average of 12%, as overconsumption of salt is linked to high blood pressure, a key factor in heart attacks and strokes. The FDA is seeking to update the standards of identity (SOI) for over 20 food items, to include more ingredients and allow for the use of salt substitutes.