Australians smart on salt but slow to act

New consumer research has found that, while most Australians know too much salt is bad for health, they are not doing much about it. These and other key findings will be announced at the launch of "The Drop the Salt!" campaign in Sydney today.

The new survey, commissioned by the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH), shows that most Australians are 'salt smart', recognising that most salt comes from processed foods. The majority were also aware that salt can cause high blood pressure and serious illnesses. However, few were regularly checking labels for salt content and even fewer were acting on what they found.

According to AWASH Chair, Dr Bruce Neal, not nearly enough is being done to reduce salt in people's diets and Australians are consuming far too much. "Most Australians are eating well above the 6 grams per day recommended by the National Heart Foundation of Australia. It is not well understood that almost everyone's health is being adversely affected by the salt they eat," he said.

Whilst many Australian companies have already made real improvements to the salt content of their products, more still needs to be done. The 'Drop the Salt!' campaign is the first cohesive national salt reduction effort in Australia. The five-year campaign unites a broad range of organisations in a commitment to reduce salt intake in the Australian population to 6 grams a day by 2012. This would be expected to prevent about one fifth of all strokes and heart attacks in Australia each year. "This is now probably the most cost-effective possible approach to vascular disease prevention in Australia," said Dr Neal.

AWASH will work with industry to try and reduce the amount of salt in processed foods by a quarter, and to get the catering industry to take out a similar amount out of takeaway foods. There will be a concurrent consumer awareness campaign and advocacy for new food labelling that makes the salt content of foods really clear.

The salt reduction campaign already has the support of leaders in the medical profession and the food industry. Professor Stephen Harrap, President of the High Blood Pressure Research Council said, "Excess salt consumed throughout life causes blood pressure to rise with age. There is strong evidence that reducing salt consumption could lower blood pressure and reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke for most Australians."

"I believe the food industry has a key role to play in reducing the salt intake of the population," said Chairman of Unilever Australasia, Peter Slator. "Improving the nutritional value of our products is at the heart of Unilever's business. We have been reducing salt for several decades now and are committed to further action."

www.worldactiononsalt.com