Sustain member CASH claims that the Government's Responsibility Deal is failing to deliver reduced salt levels in processed foods
While the food industry has been congratulating itself on a downward trend in salt intake, Consenus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), the group that campaigns for reduced salt consumption, has challenged the claims.
Although the results of the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey assessment of dietary sodium show a gradual overall decline in salt consumption since 2003, they also make it clear that the UK population is consuming virtually the same amount of salt today as it was three years ago (8.1g/day in 2011 vs 8.0g/day measured in 2014), suggesting progress has stalled.
CASH claims the Responsibility Deal -- the voluntary commitment the food industry made to reduce the salt content of manufactured foods -- has failed. According to CASH's analysis, 9000 lives have been lost since 2011 due to excess and unnecessary salt consumption.
Cash argues that unhealthy food supplied by the food industry is now the biggest cause of death and ill health in the UK. It is calling for the government to immediately set up an independent agency responsible for nutrition, to stop large and unnecessary amounts of salt, fat and sugar being added to food.
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Published Friday 1 April 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
