Food retailers have committed to a programme aimed at reducing salt in own brand processed foods such as soups, pizzas and ready meals by 25% within five years.
The ‘minimising salt’ framework, developed by the British Retail Consortium is in response to the government’s call for all of the food chain to cut down on salt usage.
Nine processed food groups such as cereals, sandwiches and cook-in sauces have been included in the framework.
Retailers will focus on at least two of the groups within the first 12 months of the programme and aim to have salt content in all nine food groups reviewed and minimised within a five-year period.
BRC food policy director, Richard Ali said: “This is a major step and retailers should be praised for their commitment.
“We welcome the work of other brand owners and associations and encourage all sectors to join retailers’ ongoing work, so that all products within customers shopping baskets can be included.”
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association has launched a fierce attack on the government. This follows research for their report entitled ‘Health Warning to Government’ that shows seven in ten consumers think the government should be doing more to promote healthy diets.
Responding to this call for action Martin Paterson, Food and Drink Federation deputy director general said: “The Consumer Association has rather missed the boat.
“The Department of Health has already announced a White Paper to consult on food and health issues, and the food chain has pledged to work with government on helping people to understand more about food and nutrition.”
The ‘minimising salt’ framework, developed by the British Retail Consortium is in response to the government’s call for all of the food chain to cut down on salt usage.
Nine processed food groups such as cereals, sandwiches and cook-in sauces have been included in the framework.
Retailers will focus on at least two of the groups within the first 12 months of the programme and aim to have salt content in all nine food groups reviewed and minimised within a five-year period.
BRC food policy director, Richard Ali said: “This is a major step and retailers should be praised for their commitment.
“We welcome the work of other brand owners and associations and encourage all sectors to join retailers’ ongoing work, so that all products within customers shopping baskets can be included.”
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association has launched a fierce attack on the government. This follows research for their report entitled ‘Health Warning to Government’ that shows seven in ten consumers think the government should be doing more to promote healthy diets.
Responding to this call for action Martin Paterson, Food and Drink Federation deputy director general said: “The Consumer Association has rather missed the boat.
“The Department of Health has already announced a White Paper to consult on food and health issues, and the food chain has pledged to work with government on helping people to understand more about food and nutrition.”
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