Date Time
Statement on WHO Global Sodium Benchmarks
The benchmarks are a guide for countries and industry to reduce the sodium content in specific categories of processed foods that are a main source of sodium in many countries, including Australia. Countries can adapt these targets to their local food environments, requiring industry to progressively lower the sodium content of processed foods.
Professor Jacqui Webster, Head, Public Health Advocacy and Policy Impact, Food Policy at The George Institute and Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction said this is a key turning point for global sodium reduction efforts, “Our research shows 94 countries now have a national salt reduction strategy but only a handful are so far demonstrating an impact. This new WHO led global initiative has the potential to build momentum for salt reduction strategies by setting more ambitious targets that can have meaningful health outcomes. We are now looking forward to working with WHO to support member states to adopt or adapt the global benchmarks and to develop mechanisms to hold the food industry to account reducing sodium levels in food products.”