I have to avoid added sodium all the time because I have problems with fluid retention. Now I have to double check every piece of meat I buy. So far, is beef exempted from this awful salt additive craze?

Also, I have to go on a low iodine diet for 2-3 weeks every year for medical testing purposes--now I can't even trust the poultry or meat. Food processors usually do not use iodized salt, but there is no guarantee* it wasn't used--so now, no chicken or pork for those low iodine weeks. Local grocery stores' meat departments have no idea of what's actually in those solution.

*One year I found some tasty lower fat seasoned corn chips. I had called the manufacturer to ascertain that they didn't use any iodized salt. Absolutely not, I was told. Then -- and I really appreciate the time this person took to call me -- she told me that one of their suppliers used iodized salt in that tasty spice flavoring. The person I had spoken to actually took the time to call their suppliers. Love those industrious Midwestern values!

Fortunately, I had planned ahead and made some calls before beginning my diet, so I didn't mess up my test. (I also developed additional respect for those who shared their experiences with my disease--they said never trust what you're told about iodized salt: Any producer may get some in and not even know it.)

By chance, my tests have all been during the summer when there's plenty of fresh, unprocessed produce. Must work to keep it that way.

But, really, why are they forcing sodium on those of us who really must avoid it? Frustrating and infuriating.