[The importance of dietary sodium: the time has come for a public health intervention].

In recent years, many studies have been published regarding the link between sodium intake and high blood pressure. Canadian, American and WHO Guidelines on the treatment of hypertension all indicate salt reduction as an efficient non-pharmacologic recommendation. However, due to the lack of clear and specific Canadian legislation on food labelling, consumers are not able to make informed choices of food products on the basis of salt content. The time has come for public health experts to join this debate.