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22/03/2006
FSA publishes salt reduction targets
The Food Standards Agency has published voluntary salt reduction targets for food manufacturers and retailers, in order to encourage reduction in the amount of salt in many processed foods.
The reduction targets apply to salt levels in the 85 food categories that contribute the most amount of salt in our diets. These include foods such as bread, bacon, ham, breakfast cereals, cheese, pizzas, ready meals and savoury snacks.
The new targets include crisps having no more than 1.5g of salt per 100g; bacon no more than 3.5g of salt per 100g; and pre-packed bread and rolls no more than 1.1g per 100g.
The FSA said that the salt reduction targets will help progression towards the Agency target of bringing down the average UK salt intake to 6g a day.
In the UK, at least 26 million people are eating too much salt and processed foods contribute about 75% of the salt in our diets. Eating too much salt is a significant risk factor in developing high blood pressure, which triple the risk of heart disease and stroke. It contributes to more than 170,000 deaths a year in England.
Gill Fine, Director of Consumer Choice and Dietary Health, said: "Although challenging, we believe the salt levels set out represent a realistic rate of reduction, which will have a real impact on consumers' intakes.
"We will review the targets in 2008, to ensure that progress continues to be made towards achieving the 6g maximum recommended salt intake."
However, some campaign groups have criticised the standards saying that they do not go far enough towards reducing salt intake towards the recommended maximum.
(KMcA/GB)
The reduction targets apply to salt levels in the 85 food categories that contribute the most amount of salt in our diets. These include foods such as bread, bacon, ham, breakfast cereals, cheese, pizzas, ready meals and savoury snacks.
The new targets include crisps having no more than 1.5g of salt per 100g; bacon no more than 3.5g of salt per 100g; and pre-packed bread and rolls no more than 1.1g per 100g.
The FSA said that the salt reduction targets will help progression towards the Agency target of bringing down the average UK salt intake to 6g a day.
In the UK, at least 26 million people are eating too much salt and processed foods contribute about 75% of the salt in our diets. Eating too much salt is a significant risk factor in developing high blood pressure, which triple the risk of heart disease and stroke. It contributes to more than 170,000 deaths a year in England.
Gill Fine, Director of Consumer Choice and Dietary Health, said: "Although challenging, we believe the salt levels set out represent a realistic rate of reduction, which will have a real impact on consumers' intakes.
"We will review the targets in 2008, to ensure that progress continues to be made towards achieving the 6g maximum recommended salt intake."
However, some campaign groups have criticised the standards saying that they do not go far enough towards reducing salt intake towards the recommended maximum.
(KMcA/GB)
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