The Stroke Foundation wants mandatory sodium levels to be enforced for processed foods.
A report by the United States Institute of Medicine says current levels of sodium, or salt, are far too high and a legal limit should be set.
The Stroke Foundation says such a limit in New Zealand would save lives, as strokes can be related to salt intake.
Chief executive Mark Vivian says people need to reduce their salt intake by 50%, on average, to meet World Health Organisation recommendations.
He says people are eating about 11 grammes of sodium per day and the Government has a responsibility to create and manage some standards.
