The current invention is in the field of taste and relates to methods and compositions to modulate the perceived taste of saltiness in food or food products where salty taste is desired. The methods and compositions relate to altering the activation and/or activity of the bitter-sensing taste receptor cells and the PKD2L1-expressing taste receptor cells. The invention also relates to food and food products containing agents and composition that alter the activation and/or activity of the bitter-sensing taste receptor cells and the PKD2L1-expressing taste receptor cells.