The Hindu Business Line : Too much salt is bad for health: UK agency

TOO much salt is injurious to health. Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom recently started a major salt campaign that aims to reduce high salt consumption.

Eating too much salt is a significant risk factor in developing high blood pressure, which has been found to be a cause or contributing factor in a large number of deaths.

High blood pressure is termed as a `silent killer'. Studies have shown that reducing salt in the diet can lower blood pressure within four weeks.

Also, lowering salt intake could reduce the number of strokes by a third.

Not many are aware of how much salt they consume every day, according to experts who point out the `hidden' salt in many foods including processed foods such as ready-prepared meals and snack foods.

Recognising the health risks associated with consuming too much salt, retailers, food industry groups, health charities, medical groups and consumer organisations have come out with expressions of support.

Many in the UK food industry have introduced salt reduction programmes and many major retailers and manufacturers label products with the salt content.

The food industry is said to be two-thirds of the way to reaching the target of a one gram reduction in processed food by the end of 2005.

The target is to reach the ambitious level of 6 gm per day consumption by 2010. Currently, a significant part of the population eats more than the desirable level of salt.

Average consumption of adults is estimated at 9.5 gm. Adult men consume 11 gm and women 8 gm.

In September, FSA launched a £4-million campaign at a national stakeholders event.

It includes national television, poster and print advertising and a dedicated salt Web site.