To understand sodium labels, learn salty language

Use this glossary to decode sodium-related claims, which are regulated by the federal government.

Sodium free (or zero sodium, no sodium, without sodium, free of sodium, trivial source of sodium)

Fewer than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Very low in sodium

No more than 35 mg per serving.

Low in sodium

No more than 140 mg per serving.

Light in sodium

At least 50 percent less sodium per serving than a full-sodium version.

Reduced sodium (or lower sodium, less sodium)

At least 25 percent less sodium per serving than a full-sodium version of the same food.

Unsalted (or no salt added, without added salt)

No salt was added during processing. If the food is not sodium-free, the label must say, "Not a sodium-free food."

Healthy

For an individual food, no more than 480 mg of sodium per serving. For a meal (think frozen dinner), no more than 600 mg.