Research on salt published
Cutting salt consumption by half a teaspoon a day could save 20,000 lives a year.
Research from the University of Warwick published today in the BMJ says that cutting salt consumption by half a teaspoon a day could save 20,000 lives a year. Researchers have called for voluntary or mandatory action to set lower salt targets for manufacturers and public awareness campaigns.
A Department of Health spokesperson said:
“Through the Responsibility Deal we are already committed to reducing salt in food so people eat 1g less per day by the end of next year. This will reduce the risk factors associated with a high salt diet like heart disease and stroke and will help prevent nearly 11,000 premature deaths a year.
“The Responsibility Deal allows us to move further, faster to take action on issues including high salt diets by working with industry, charities and the public.”
Previous statement on salt below
A Department of Health spokesperson said:
“We have already commited to the salt targets for the end of 2012 agreed by the Responsibility Deal, which collectively will deliver a further 15% reduction on 2010 targets. For some products this will require acceptable technical solutions which we are working to achieve. These targets will give a total salt reduction of nearly 1g per person per day compared to 2007 levels in food. We recognise that achieving the public health goal of consuming no more than 6g of salt per person per day will necessitate action across the whole industry, Government, NGOs and individuals.”
The list of organisations which have signed up to the salt reduction pledge is available on the Department of Health website.