Heart Health on the Menu: Advocating for Sodium Warning Labels in Ohio

As legislators return to the Statehouse in Columbus, American Heart Association’s Heart Powered advocates continue to work toward making Ohio a healthier place.

Dr. Surender Neravetla, an Ohio State Advocacy Committee member, penned a Letter to the Editor calling for sodium warning labels in restaurants to help fight heart disease and empower healthier choices.

I commend Ohio lawmakers for introducing House Bill 364, which would require restaurants to label food allergens on their menus. This is a common-sense measure that can save lives.

In the same spirit of promoting healthy lifestyles and consumer education, as a volunteer with the American Heart Association, I ask the legislature to add an amendment to this bill: a requirement for chain restaurants to include sodium warning labels on menu items with more than half of the daily sodium limit based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans of 2,300mg.

The facts are clear. Nine out of ten Americans consume too much sodium – over 3,300mg daily on average – with 70% coming from processed and restaurant foods. This overconsumption, while preventable with policies like this one, is a leading driver of high blood pressure, which affects a third of all Ohioans and is a primary cause of heart disease and stroke.

An icon next to a high-sodium item can make a world of difference. It provides consumers with information to make healthier choices at the point of selection, empowering them to protect their heart health. This is particularly important for the millions of Ohioans managing high blood pressure, and those at risk. By adding a sodium warning amendment, House Bill 364 can become a comprehensive measure that benefits everyone. It is a simple, effective, and common-sense solution to address a silent but deadly epidemic. I urge our lawmakers to support this amendment to build a healthier Ohio.

Dr. Surender Neravetla is a thoracic surgeon in Springfield, Ohio. He received his medical degree from Osmania Medical College NTR UHS and has been in practice for more than 20 years.  Dr. Neravetla has also been a member of the American Heart Association’s State Advocacy Committee for the last five years and is a regular participant in legislative meetings and multiple lobby days at the Statehouse.

Beyond his surgical practice, Dr. Neravetla is a dedicated advocate for preventative medicine and public health education. He is the author of two books, “Salt Kills” and “Salt: Black America’s Silent Killer.” He frequently engages in community outreach to educate people on the dangers of a high-sodium diet and other preventable cardiovascular issues.