Dr Robert Grenfell, Clinical Issues Director at the Heart Foundation said, “Research suggests that if we cut the nation’s salt intake by an average of three grams a day, we could prevent 6,000 deaths in Australia every year.
“Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.”
The Foundation is also part of the Federal Government’s Food and Health Dialogue, which aims to make processed foods healthier by, for example, reducing the amount of salt in food categories such as bread, soups, sauces and savoury pies.
As a result of the Dialogue’s work in Australia’s bread sector alone, around 1,000 tonnes of salt is being removed from the Australian food supply every year.
“While the Dialogue has made a good start, increased funding is desperately needed to really super-charge the food reformulation agenda by introducing targets for more food categories more quickly and supporting that work with public education campaigns,” Dr Grenfell said.
