Salt Reduction The First Step To Better Health

Salt reduction has been a hot topic in the food debate for some time now.

- Oliver Riemann

Governments worldwide are required to take measures to raise awareness of excessive salt consumption in the population. The food industry is required to take more responsibility for their customers, and consumers must be given a wakeup call, warning them of the health consequences of excessive salt intake.

Salt is an essential mineral, which can be consumed in appropriate quantities as part of a balanced diet. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been pointing out the damaging consequences of worldwide excessive salt consumption for several years. Recent studies by the WHO have shown that many people fall ill each year as a result of the damaging consequences of consuming too much salt, such as hypertension and strokes. This raises the question as to what challenges governments, the food industry and consumers are facing. What measures need to be taken to reduce worldwide salt consumption and promote better health?

Clarification and Communication

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture has already taken the first step. It is currently working on a national strategy for the reduction of salt, as well as sugar and fats, in finished products. The aim is to induce the food industry to voluntarily agree on targets and gradually adapt recipes. The industry currently has free rein and is not subject to any legal obligations.

Above all, the WHO has the goal and task of giving all countries support in bringing the subject of salt reduction to the public eye. Their global goal is to reduce average worldwide salt consumption by 30 percent by 2025. Countries like Argentina, the UK and Kuwait are already leading the way in successfully implementing salt reduction.