Jacque Talbot
SALT sold in supermarkets should carry graphic health warnings, such as those on tobacco packets, medical experts warn.
The move is vital with as many as 85% of Spanish children eating too much salt, according to research.
Scientists from The World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Hypertension League (WHL) believe that many countries, including Spain, are not aware of the dangers.
While most countries have sodium information on the labels of processed food, these are often ‘difficult for people to interpret and do not warn of any health risk.’
Excess salt consumption is estimated to have caused more than three million deaths a year, from strokes and heart disease.
The WHO has now set countries a goal of reducing sodium intake by 30% by 2025.
Dr. Norm Campbell, of the WHL, said: “Governments and the food industry have been working together to reduce salt in processed foods.
“However, urgent measures must now be taken to sensitize consumers to these dangers.”
He continued: “Although many countries have begun to consider a variety of public health measures to encourage people to eat less salt, we do not know of any that have required salt containers to have warning labels.”
Jacqui Webster of the WHO added: “Eating too much salt increases people’s blood pressure, which is one of the main contributors to premature death.”
Research published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that 85% of Spanish children eat too much salt.
The majority of this is from processed and fast food, with only 20 to 25% coming from table salt.
