§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to limit the public's regular intake of salt. [148833]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonAs 75 per cent. to 80 per cent. of salt comes from processed foods, the Department has called on industry to take concerted action in reducing the salt content of processed foods. The Department, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), held a salt stakeholders meeting to highlight the role of all sectors, including industry, health and consumer bodies, on 10 November 2003. I have asked the industry to provide plans of action for reducing the salt content of foods by 27 February.
The Department and the FSA have jointly written to all public procurement bodies to help in achieving the reductions in salt intake as recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition by focussing on the salt content of processed foods as part of their procurement processes.
The FSA has set salt targets—to reduce average salt intake by 10 per cent., by 2005–06 and in the long term, to reduce the average population intake by a third over the next five years—bringing intakes down to the recommended six grams per day.
333WThe Department and the FSA communicate the importance of reducing salt in the diet to the public and health professionals through various channels, including leaflets, websites and through NHS-Direct.