It’s time for ACTION on salt – World Salt Awareness Week (WSAW), 4-10th March
The theme set by World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) for 2019 WSAW was ACTION. This theme emphasised the need to act given the unacceptably high burden of unnecessary ill health and death due to high salt intakes. WASH and supporters called for action from governments, food industry, health charities and non-governmental organisations, and […]
Sodium Levels of Processed Meat in Australia: Supermarket Survey Data from 2010 to 2017
A study by Sparks et al assessed the sodium levels of processed meat products in Australian supermarkets and changes over time. Overall, they found a reduction in sodium levels in processed meats for which the government had established voluntary sodium target’s under the Food and Health Dialogue, and no change for other processed meats. They determined […]
Contribution of fat, sugar and salt to diets in the Pacific Islands: a systematic review
A systematic review by Santos et al has investigated the contribution of fat, salt and sugar to diets in Pacific Island countries. Authors searched both electronic and grey (unpublished) literature, finding 31 studies that provided relevant information on fat (n=22), salt (n=14) and sugar (n=17). A range of assessment methods were used, including absolute intake, household […]
Label v. Lab: How do sodium values compare?
A study by Ahuja et al compared the sodium values on product labels with laboratory values of popular sodium-contributing foods in the US. The comparative analysis of 114 foods (1,390 composites, consisting of one or more samples of the same food) showed that a majority of label and laboratory values were in agreement. Periodic monitoring […]
Republic of Moldova: New research establishes baseline salt intake
A study was conducted by the WHO in the Republic of Moldova in 2016, aiming to establish baseline levels of population intake of sodium, potassium and iodine, using 24-hour urine tests on a nationally representative sample (n=858; aged 18-69 years). The survey further assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviours related to salt consumption. Average daily […]
Using dietary intake modelling to achieve population salt reduction- World Health Organisation Europe
The WHO Europe office have released a policy brief as a guiding document for countries to identify specific sources of salt in the diet, assessing the contribution to overall salt intake by a Salt Reduction Model. This process will allow countries to come up with targeted salt reduction interventions. The 5 steps to creating a […]
Excessive levels of salt in bread- findings from a global survey
A new survey through the World Action on Salt and Health (WASH), Queen Mary University London, found excessive levels of salt in bread. Bread from 32 countries and regions were included in the survey, with over 2,000 bread products assessed including; white, wholemeal, mixed grain and flat breads. The saltiest bread was a Rosemary Foccacia […]
Decrease in sodium content of processed foods from 2009 to 2015 in America
A study conducted by Clapp J et al and published by Preventing Chronic Disease investigated the serving size, calories and sodium content of processed foods with the top 80% of sales between 2009 and 2015 in America. Results were reported per serve and density and it was found that sodium per serve and density decreased […]
Salty Sausages a Health Risk on Australian BBQ’s
Research conducted by the George Institute for Global Health, in collaboration with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and the Heart Foundation Victoria, showed that the Australian BBQ favourite – sausages – contain on average over a quarter (28%) of recommended daily salt intake in one sausage alone. Data was analysed from 2010-2017, with data […]
Christmas dip and cracker platters packed with salt
Research conducted by the George Institute for Global Health, in collaboration with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and the Heart Foundation Victoria, found that dips and crackers are packed with salt. Salt levels in 849 dips and 1285 crackers were analysed between 2010 and 2017, with data collected from four major supermarkets in Australia […]