- FDA says the Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams per day.
- Sodium is needed in small amounts, but too much can be bad for health.
- Packaged, processed, fast, and restaurant foods are common places where intake rises quickly.
The number to know
FDA says the Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams per day. That is the label-based reference point many people use when comparing packaged foods.
The point is not zero sodium. The body needs a small amount of sodium to work properly.
Where sodium adds up fast
FDA and federal nutrition guidance consistently point people toward label reading because sodium adds up quickly in processed and packaged foods. Restaurant foods, canned products, sauces, and packaged snack items can all push totals up fast.
This is one reason public-health guidance focuses on patterns rather than single meals.
How to use labels without obsessing
Nutrition labels work best as a comparison tool. If two similar products are available, the lower-sodium option is often the easier long-term choice.
That approach fits well with USDA's broader healthy-pattern messaging and keeps the behavior change realistic.