Food suppliers and retailers stand accused of causing hypertension, high blood pressure and strokes by putting too much salt in products. The launch of Salt Awareness Day this week by pressure group Consensus Action on Salt and Hypertension was intended to highlight the level of sodium in processed and ready prepared meals. But major manufacturers and retailers immediately hit back, outlining the major initiatives already underway. And Michael Mackenzie, director general of the Food and Drink Federation, said: "There is an awful lot of controversy surrounding salt ­ with many people glibly talking about salt laden processed foods'. In some product ranges, salt has been cut to critical levels and any further reduction would compromise safety." The FDF has carried out a major industry survey into the use of sodium, which found that 60% of the processed foods made by its members contained no salt. Those that did, needed sodium on the grounds of taste, texture, because it acted as a preservative or to prevent microbial spoilage. McKenzie said the new research ­ which would be presented to the government in the spring ­ would shed light on the myths about how salt was used by the industry. Neverthess, major manufacturers did announce new initiatives this week. Kellogg pledged to reduce by 40% the salt content of Rice Krispies, Coco Pops and Ricicles, and has also cut the amount used in its range of cereal bars. Heinz said it planned to reduce the salt content in all its products to a maximum of 0.8% within three years. And bread manufacturers announced a further 10% cut in the amount used in their loaves ­ on top of the 12.5% cuts made to date. CWS backed that move by promising to reduce the salt content in standard Co-op white loaves by 10%, bringing it to its lowest ever level. The bread initiative forms part of the Co-op's well publicised attack on salt levels ­ which includes the increasing use of LoSalt in own label products. Other retailers, Sainsbury and Asda among them, also reaffirmed their commitment to reducing the use of sodium in their products. {{NEWS }}