The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the second edition of the sodium benchmark on processed foods to assist countries in developing effective sodium reduction programs.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO’s Country Representative, spoke at the 2024 World Salt Awareness Day in Abuja, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
He highlighted that this year’s World Salt Awareness Week aims to promote reducing salt intake to protect cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of other diseases.
The theme for this year, “It’s time to shine the spotlight on salt,” emphasizes the issue of hidden salt in processed and ultra-processed foods, such as bread, sauces, dressings, crackers, cookies, and ready-to-eat meals.
Mulombo pointed out that three-quarters of dietary sodium comes from ultra-processed and processed foods. He stressed that reducing salt intake is crucial in combating hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
The WHO recommends consuming less than 5g of salt per day (equivalent to less than a teaspoon) for adults.
“The objective of these benchmarks is to achieve a 30% global reduction in sodium intake,” Mulombo said.
He reiterated WHO’s commitment to supporting countries in developing and implementing priority activities for sodium reduction.
Mulombo emphasized collaboration with the Nigerian government to establish national targets and benchmarks for sodium reduction, aiming to expedite reformulation efforts and monitor global progress in reducing sodium intake.
