Food businesses sign-up to 2017 salt reduction pledges
The pledge to reduce salt levels across 76 specific food categories to be met by 2017 is the latest initiative from the Department of Health under its 'Responsibility Deal' and is further to the Salt Reduction Pledge 2012.
By signing up to the voluntary pledge, companies are committing to support and enable consumers in reducing their salt intake to a maximum level of 6g a day for adults – the recommended daily allowance from the Scientific Advisory Commission on Nutrition.
Other restaurant groups signed up are Bella Italia Restaurants, Strada Restaurants, Cafe Rouge and Jamie Oliver Licensing.
Foodservice suppliers who have also made pledges are Premier Foods and McCain Foods.
Managing director of Nestle Professional Neil Stephens said: “The health of the nation remains a key issue and is one that the Government recognises must be tackled strategically and holistically across the entire food industry. Salt reduction initiatives are a major part of this.”
Suppliers signing up will be expected to make every effort to reformulate their products to achieve specific targets relevant to their business by 2017 - making reductions in salt and sodium quantities present in products such as meat, bread, canned fish and stocks and gravies.
Operators signing up to the Out Of Home Salt Reduction pledge include Jamie's Italian and Subway and have a new set of targets covering the ten most popular high street dishes and children’s meals.
Operators can sign up to the pledge by visiting https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk
NHS initiative
The NHS has recently put up £10,000 worth of funding for a new initiative aimed at reducing customer’s salt intake in fish and chip shops.
The project is currently running in three areas – Cheshire, Tyneside and Norfolk – in which shop owners are switching salt shaker sizes from 17-holes down to five as well and serving batches of low sodium salt.
They are also being asked to display posters in their shops stating ‘Too much salt is bad for your heart. Fewer holes, less salt, healthier you.’
