Information

UK Reports Supporting the Need to Reduce Salt Intake

Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer, 2001

In this report, The Chief Medical Officer (Professor Liam Donaldson) gave his support to achieving a national target of no more than 6 grams of salt a day, based on the former recommendations in the 1994 COMA. He stated:
"A major initiative by the food industry to reduce the salt content of processed and catered foods could help save lives in the long term. Immediate moves to provide clear information to consumers on salt and the sodium content of food products would bring major benefits".
On prevention of high blood pressure the CMO said:

"Both lifestyle changes and appropriate use of medication can effectively lower blood pressure. These include a reduction in salt consumption, increase in fruit and vegetable consumption, reductions in obesity and overweight, and increases in physical activity. Several initiatives are under way to tackle the risk factors associated with high blood pressure. "A large body of scientific opinion acknowledges that a reduction in salt intake will reduce blood pressure levels and will also reduce the increase in blood pressure commonly seen with age. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) recommended a reduction in the average intake of sodium, by reducing salt intake - the principle source of sodium - by a third, from 9 grams a day to 6 grams a day. As Chief Medical Officer I support this target as even a small reduction in sodium intake could help to reduce the burden of high blood pressure in our population. As some 75% of our salt intake is from processed foods, the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency are currently considering options with the food industry and other stakeholders for reducing the salt content in these foods."

Chief Medical Officer (Dec 2001) Annual Report: "High Blood Pressure- ending the rule of halves"

From Vision to reality - NHS/DoH report (Action against the big killers) 2001

The NHS plan sets out an overall action plan to improve diet and nutrition. By 2004 this will include:
Initiatives with food industry -

"including manufacturers and caterers - to improve the overall balance of diet including salt, fat and sugar in food, working with the Food Standards Agency."

Working with industry to reduce salt is underway.

"After discussions with the Government, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) published a review of the purpose and usage of sodium (salt) in manufactured foods. The review stated that there is scope for reducing the level of salt in 53% of foods manufactured by FDF members. The Government has met the FDF, the food industry and retailers and will be meeting with other stakeholders to take this forward."

Department of Health. (2001), "From vision to reality (Action against the big killers)" The Stationary Office, London.

Reducing Health Inequalities: An action Report

Chapter 9 - Public health issues; Nutrition
9.7 "We want to secure reductions in the amount of salt in people's diet, a recommendation of the Acheson report and the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy. This would help to reduce strokes and coronary heart disease. Following a high-level seminar, organised at the request of the Department of Health by the Faculty of Public Health Medicine and the British Heart Foundation, we have begun a series of meetings with the food industry to explore ways of reducing the salt content of processed food. A number of the major retailers have taken action themselves to reduce the salt content of their own brand products and lower salt alternatives are increasingly becoming available. We shall provide clear information on the risks of high salt intake."

Department of Health Report -Reducing Health Inequalities: An action Report (July 1999) Page 30, No 9.7

Saving Lives Report- Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke (Chapter 6)

This report recommends a reduction in the death rate from Coronary heart disease and stroke related disease in those under 75 years by at least 2/5 by 2010 -saving up to 200,000 lives in total.

6.9 " High blood pressure raises significantly the chances of someone having a stroke or developing coronary heart disease. A modest reduction of salt in the diet, reduction in excess alcohol intake or an increase in physical activity could greatly reduce the risk of stroke and significantly decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. Many people with high blood pressure go unrecognised or are treated ineffectively. These people remain at increased risk". 6.19 "In partnership with the food industry we will explore the scope for reducing the salt content of processed foods."

Department of Health Report -Saving lives: Our healthier nation, July 1999
Chapter 6 - Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke