Salt warning for pub food manufacturers
Pub food manufacturers could be forced to label dishes as "high in salt" if they fail to take action to reduce the amount in food, public health minister Melanie Johnson has warned.
Miss Johnson (pictured) has told companies to commit to reducing the amount of salt in their products by February 2004, or risk having to carry labels warning consumers of the dangers of eating too much salt.
If labelling guidelines go ahead, they could also be passed on to publicans who would have to warn customers of excessive salt in ready meals and other products they sell.
The Food Standards Agency has set targets to reduce average salt intakes by 10 per cent - about 1g per day - by 2005 and by a third in the next five years. Adults are recommended to limit their salt consumption to 6g per day and children's to 3g per day.
Miss Johnson gave examples of certain products that would have to cut the amount of salt they contain in order to meet her guidelines.
The products include pub food favourites such as beefburgers, bread, sausages and baked beans.
The amount of salt in beefburgers needs to be cut by 40 per cent, in bread by between 20 and 40 per cent, in sausages by 43 per cent and in beans by 30 per cent.
"Salt can be a hidden killer," Miss Johnson said. "But there's only so much consumers can do. What many people consider a health-conscious diet is often high in salt.
"Despite claims by the food industry that they've taken substantial action, we need to see real steps forward to cut salt levels."
And she warned that forcing companies to label their products could be the answer.
"If we don't see progress then action on food labelling could be the answer," she said. "I want to see openness and honesty and healthier options, which in turn will open people's eyes to the risks of a high salt diet."
