Health Risks of Excessive Sodium and the Role of Value Chain in India

Sonal Dhemla,Kanika Varma

doi:10.12944/crnfsj.3.2.09

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to understand the role of food industry and value chain in sodium reduction and their contribution to policy making in lowering the sodium levels in processed foods. The research included literature review, author’s views and the data collection regarding sodium contents of commonly used packaged foods in India. The agri-food industry is subject to stringent safety requirements in the world, but most developing countries like India lack credible institutional mechanisms and affordable testing methods to monitor for hazards and ensure that food products remain safe to consume as they move through the value chain. The rising burden of hypertension, associated CVD and NCDs in India needs to be addressed as a public health priority employing an optimal context specific resource sensitive combination of the industrial as well as the clinical approach to reduce their risk of chronic disease, and promote overall health. The organizations need to consider their influence on nation’s health. For this, a food procurement policy need to be followed requiring that the food purchases should make available key nutrients at levels that do not exceed standards established by public health authorities. Such a policy might define the maximum amount of sodium allowed in packed and processed foods and of course food served in restaurants.

Highlights

Sodium consumption in India and its impact on healthSodium, an essential nutrient, is tightly regulated by the human body
Check salt contents in cooking sauces such as soy sauce and ready-mix seasonings as some of these are very high in salt and eat more at home
The favourable part for Indians is that most food products in India, like fruits and vegetables and milk, have a wide availability across the country, which is very unique to India

Summary

Introduction

An essential nutrient, is tightly regulated by the human body. when consumed in excessive amounts it has adverse cardiovascular and non cardiovascular health effects. This will be achieved through the combined approach of food industry and government by implementation of an education and public awareness campaign and by engaging food and meal producers and distributors to reformulate their products Though these food products are claimed to be manufactured using the best technology under most hygienic standards by trained professionals, they generally tend to be nutrient-poor and high calories, fats, sugars and salt ‘selling’ diet-related diseases like the cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, certain forms of cancer, and high blood pressure and obesity (He and McGregor,2009). Before initiating any salt reduction efforts, a comprehensive baseline analysis of key country stakeholders to evaluate their current knowledge, attitudes, practices and receptiveness to a range of salt reduction policy intervention option should be undertaken These can include government representatives, health care organizations, civil society organizations, industry, consumers and academia. Sodium reduction is an important part of healthy living and government have to work towards supporting the sodium reduction efforts and to provide guidance to the food industry to safely lower the amount of sodium in processed foods

20 Milk supplements

Discussion

Findings

Background