Aug 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

on Thursday laid out fresh goals to cut sodium levels in

packaged and processed foods by about 20%, after its prior

efforts to address a growing epidemic of diet-related chronic

diseases showed early signs of success.

The FDA in October 2021 had set guidelines to trim sodium

levels in foods ranging from potato chips to hamburgers in a bid

to prevent excessive intake of salt that can trigger high blood

pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

The agency is now seeking voluntary curbs from packaged-food

makers such as PepsiCo ( PEP ), Kraft Heinz ( KHC ) and Campbell

Soup ( CPB ). The companies did not immediately respond to

Reuters requests for comment.

The FDA wants to cut sodium intake over the next three years

to an average of 2,750 milligrams per day - 20% lower than the

levels prior to 2021, though above the recommended daily limit

of 2,300 mg.

"Reducing sodium in the food supply has the potential to be

one of the most important public health initiatives in a

generation," FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones

said in a statement.

Fast-food chains, including McDonald's, Burger

King-parent Restaurant Brands and Taco Bell-parent Yum

Brands ( YUM ), are also likely to be affected. The companies

did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The agency said it had seen 40% of food categories achieving

the first-phase sodium targets - to cut levels by an average of

about 12% - or were within 10% of meeting those targets.