Associated Press: Burger King Corp. said Wednesday it is cutting the amount of sodium in its kids meals and promoting menu combinations with less than 650 calories as part of a push to emphasize nutrition at its fast-food chains.

The nation's No. 2 hamburger chain said it will now limit sodium in its kids meals advertised to children under 12 years old to 600 milligrams or less.

High levels of sodium can lead to higher blood pressure -- a key ingredient in heart disease and strokes. The American Heart Association recommends a daily intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium in healthy adults and less for kids. A quarter-teaspoon of salt has nearly 600 milligrams of sodium.

"We have made a strong company-wide commitment to help improve childhood nutrition," said Chief Executive John Chidsey in an interview with The Associated Press, calling the sodium limit "a positive step among many in that direction."

The company said it will also make sure its kids meals provide a "good" or "excellent" source of at least two of several nutrients -- calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium or vitamin E.

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