Concerns Over Salt Consumption in India
Despite increased attention to the harmful effects of sugar and fats, salt consumption in India remains significantly high and largely overlooked in public health discussions.
Current Salt Consumption
- Indian adults consume about 8-11 grams of salt daily, nearly double the WHO recommended intake of 5-6 grams.
- A significant portion of this salt comes from home-cooked foods, with common items like pickles and papadam being high in salt.
- Eating out is becoming frequent, with restaurants adding extra salt to enhance taste.
- Packaged and processed foods also contribute to high salt intake due to their preservative content.
Health Impacts
- High salt consumption is linked to hypertension, affecting 28.1% of Indian adults, increasing cardiovascular disease risks.
- Common misconceptions exist about alternative salts (rock, black, Himalayan pink), which still contribute to high sodium levels and potential iodine deficiency.
Recommended Strategies for Salt Reduction
- Comprehensive HFSS Boards: Extend focus from sugar and oil to include high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) in awareness efforts.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate on reducing salt while cooking and using low-sodium substitutes, though potassium-rich alternatives should be approached with caution for certain populations.
- Early Habit Formation: Encourage low-salt diets from childhood, avoiding added salt for babies and toddlers.
- Reform Public Food Programs: Establish salt limits and training for meals provided in schools and health facilities.
- Front-of-Pack Labels: Implement mandatory warning labels for high-salt items, taking cues from countries like Chile.
- Community Initiatives: Encourage practices like removing salt shakers from dining tables and conducting regular reviews of high-salt items at home.
Policy and Implementation
- India's National Multisectoral Action Plan (2017-22) includes salt reduction, yet more integrated, cross-ministerial efforts are needed.
- Future strategies should combine regulatory and community-based interventions to effectively reduce salt intake across the population.
Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya and C.K. Mishra argue for enhanced public health focus and policy measures to address the high salt consumption issue in India effectively.