According to World Health Organization, the world is likely to miss a global target for a 30% reduction in sodium consumption by 2025.
Key findings of WHO
- The WHO has blamed government inaction.
- Only 3% of the world’s population is protected by mandatory policies to reduce sodium, while three-quarters of WHO member-countries fail to fully implement such guidelines.
- While sodium is an essential nutrient found in table salt, eating too much of it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death.
- Sodium is an essential nutrient necessary for maintenance of plasma volume, acid-base balance, transmission of nerve impulses and normal cell function.
- The WHO called on its 194 member-states to enact policies to reduce sodium intake without delay, estimating that cost-effective policies could save 7 million lives globally by 2030.
- Only nine countries (Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uruguay) currently have a comprehensive package of recommended policies.
- The global average per capita intake of salt is 10.8 grams a day — more than double the WHO recommendation of less than 5 grams.
