3 - Dietary salt: Consumption, reduction strategies and consumer awareness

Abstract

Dietary salt intake continues to exceed recommended intakes across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. There are significant health risks associated with high-salt intake, including high blood pressure and increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Governments in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland have recommended that daily salt intake for adults not exceed 6g/day. National salt reduction initiatives have been implemented to increase consumer knowledge and awareness of salt intake and reduce the salt content of processed food products. Salt intake has reduced by about one-fifth among the UK population. Public information campaigns have had some success in increasing awareness of government recommendations with evidence to demonstrate a reduction in discretionary salt usage. Progress has been made in reducing the salt content of certain food categories, but challenges around reformulation still remain. Targeted approaches to salt reduction are needed in conjunction with national policies to improve overall dietary intake.