The Food Standards Authority has published new evidence today that shows the UK’s average daily salt intake has fallen from 9.5g to 8.6g since 2000. Although these figures are encouraging, it’s still a long way from the government’s target of 6g a day.
In a statement the FSA said: “The Food Standards Agency is encouraged that action to reduce the average amount of salt we are eating on a daily basis is clearly having a positive impact.”
To help reduce salt levels, the FSA has launched a public consultation on proposals that will make its voluntary 2010 salt reduction targets, for 85 categories of food, stricter, and set more challenging 2012 targets, for 80 categories of food.
Eating too much salt significantly increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure can triple the risk of heart disease and stroke. If the UK’s daily intake of sat could be reduced to 6g, it could prevent the deaths of 20,200 people a year.
FSA Chief Executive Tim Smith said: “The Food Standards Agency is encouraged that action to reduce the average amount of salt we are eating on a daily basis is clearly having a positive impact. We recognise that the great steps taken by many manufacturers and retailers have contributed to this success. But while the results of the urinary analysis are positive, we are aware there is still plenty to do.”
