High salt consumption is associated with the largest number of deaths related to eating habits worldwide , with about 1.89 million deaths every year
Best buys for salt reduction The WHO also recommends practical measures , such as best buys policies , that promote lowering sodium content in essential food products , front-ofpack labelling to encourage consumers to purchase healthier alternatives , and mass media campaigns to enhance public awareness of the adverse effects of high salt intake . The approach also advocates the adoption of public food procurement and service policies in public establishments .
Mandatory low sodium formulation One of the issues that the new set of policies address is the prevalence of high sodium content in processed food , an essential grocery item in developed countries . Another is the increased popularity of eating outside food . �In many high-income countries , the largest amount of salt comes from manufactured food . About 80 % comes from manufactured food , such as bread , cheeses , preserved meat , but also high salty snacks , and food consumed out of home ,” �r Branca elaborated in the podcast . The buy-best policy has led to significant shifts in regional dietary intake . For example , numerous countries have seen their local food manufacturers voluntarily reformulate their products with lower salt levels to support the government ’ s efforts to reduce the prevalence of NCDs .
Reformulation practice dates back to the 1980s when several nations introduced restrictions on the maximum permissible sodium content in bread , peanut butter , and tomato sauce . For example , Saudi Arabia implemented a mandatory sodium limit of 1g / 100 g on 22 processed items , such as bread and salted yoghurt , and 22 other food items by 1g / 100g . South Africa ’ s sodium reduction measures were implemented in 13 food categories , including margarine , cereals , meat products , and instant soup powders . Manufacturers there were given three years to ensure compliance with government policies , although the country has yet to enforce a mandatory sodium content declaration on food packaging .
Procurement of public food with reduced salt content Another rich target area for sodium reduction is in the so-called public food procurement sector . The �H� has recommended limiting the serving of sodium-rich food in public institutions such as schools , hospitals , nursing homes , and workplaces . Public eateries can
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com ISSUE 6 | 2023
51