Salt reduction targets agreed
The Reformulation Working Group of the Federal Government’s Food and Health Dialogue has secured the agreement of leading manufacturers and retailers to salt level reduction targets across a variety of bread and breakfast cereals.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, said the successful negotiation of the targets was a tribute to the co-operative approach of Government, health groups and industry through the Food and Health Dialogue.
Leading manufacturers George Weston Foods, Goodman Fielder Baking, Allied Mills and Cripps Nubake, as well as major retailers Woolworths, Coles and ALDI have agreed to reduce sodium (a key component of dietary salt) across bread products to 400 milligrams per 100 grams by the end of 2013.
For ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that exceed 400 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams, Kelloggs, Sanitarium, Cereal Partners Worldwide, Woolworths, Coles and ALDI have agreed to reduce the sodium content of products by 15% over four years.
These manufacturers and retailers represent more than 80% of the market share for bread products and about 60% of the market share for ready to eat breakfast cereals.
A high salt diet can cause serious health problems with links to high blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
