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Confusion over food salt content Confusion over food salt content
(about 8 hours later)
Parents are confused over the salt content of foods and the dangers of eating too much salt, research shows.Parents are confused over the salt content of foods and the dangers of eating too much salt, research shows.
Few of the 2,000 polled by Consensus Action on Salt and Health knew popular sweet foods can contain more salt than savoury snacks associated with salt.Few of the 2,000 polled by Consensus Action on Salt and Health knew popular sweet foods can contain more salt than savoury snacks associated with salt.
And fewer than a fifth were aware that high salt consumption had been linked to osteoporosis and worsening asthma.And fewer than a fifth were aware that high salt consumption had been linked to osteoporosis and worsening asthma.
Campaigners called for clearer food labelling to help parents moderate their children's salt intake.Campaigners called for clearer food labelling to help parents moderate their children's salt intake.
Experts, including the Food Standards Agency, believe too much salt can lead to high blood pressure.Experts, including the Food Standards Agency, believe too much salt can lead to high blood pressure.
RECOMMENDED SALT IN-TAKE Adults - 6g per day11 to 14 years - 6g7 to 10 years - 5g4 to 6 years - 3g1 to 3 years - 2g7 to 12 months - 1g0 to 6 months - less than 1gRECOMMENDED SALT IN-TAKE Adults - 6g per day11 to 14 years - 6g7 to 10 years - 5g4 to 6 years - 3g1 to 3 years - 2g7 to 12 months - 1g0 to 6 months - less than 1g
Evidence has suggested links to stomach cancer as well as osteoporosis and a worsening of the symptoms of asthma.Evidence has suggested links to stomach cancer as well as osteoporosis and a worsening of the symptoms of asthma.
Adults are recommended not to consume more than 6g, while for children it is less.Adults are recommended not to consume more than 6g, while for children it is less.
Research by CASH showed a range of foods regularly eaten by children, such as some pizzas, beef burgers and sausage rolls, contained more than 1g of salt per serving - a third of the recommended daily limit for four to six-year-olds.Research by CASH showed a range of foods regularly eaten by children, such as some pizzas, beef burgers and sausage rolls, contained more than 1g of salt per serving - a third of the recommended daily limit for four to six-year-olds.
The research also showed many sweet foods had high salt content - but few parents were aware of this.The research also showed many sweet foods had high salt content - but few parents were aware of this.
For example, some brands of blueberry muffin have more salt than two standard bags of crisps, while some breakfast cereals have more salt than one bag.For example, some brands of blueberry muffin have more salt than two standard bags of crisps, while some breakfast cereals have more salt than one bag.
And the poll, carried out in partnership with the Netmums campaign group, found fewer than half were aware 1g of sodium was the equivalent of 2.5g of salt.And the poll, carried out in partnership with the Netmums campaign group, found fewer than half were aware 1g of sodium was the equivalent of 2.5g of salt.
The comparison is especially important because some brands label their salt content in sodium terms.The comparison is especially important because some brands label their salt content in sodium terms.
Food labellingFood labelling
Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of CASH and an expert in cardiovascular medicine at London's St George's Hospital, said: "What we need is clear food labelling.Professor Graham MacGregor, chairman of CASH and an expert in cardiovascular medicine at London's St George's Hospital, said: "What we need is clear food labelling.
"Some food companies have reduced their salt content in recent years and this needs to continue, but having good information is key.""Some food companies have reduced their salt content in recent years and this needs to continue, but having good information is key."
Cathy Court, of Netmums, said she favoured traffic light labelling - retailers currently use a variety of labelling models from the red, amber, green labels of traffic lights to guideline daily amount figures.Cathy Court, of Netmums, said she favoured traffic light labelling - retailers currently use a variety of labelling models from the red, amber, green labels of traffic lights to guideline daily amount figures.
"Parents need much more help if they are to make sure their children are not eating too much salt.""Parents need much more help if they are to make sure their children are not eating too much salt."
But the Salt Association, which represents the salt industry, said: "This tunnel-vision single-nutrient focus fails to recognise that the real issue is the wider diet.But the Salt Association, which represents the salt industry, said: "This tunnel-vision single-nutrient focus fails to recognise that the real issue is the wider diet.
"The big challenge is to persuade children to eat a healthy diet built around fruit and vegetables, in which case salt becomes irrelevant.""The big challenge is to persuade children to eat a healthy diet built around fruit and vegetables, in which case salt becomes irrelevant."
Salt cellar
Professor Martin Wiseman, medical and scientific advisor to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), has advised people not to put a salt cellar on their dinner table.
The WCRF estimates that up to 15% of daily salt intake is added at the dinner table or during cooking.
Professor Wiseman said: "Because salt is added by food manufacturers, there is too much of it in our food before it even reaches our dinner table.
"But by adding extra salt to a meal, you are only making things worse."