During its peak years from 2003 to 2014, the UK salt reduction programme successfully achieved a 19% decrease in salt intake, potentially saving over 9,000 lives each year. This reduction in salt intake led to a 3mmHg decrease in blood pressure, contributing to a decline in stroke and heart disease mortality rates and estimated healthcare savings of £1.5bn annually. However, since 2014, progress in salt reduction has plateaued or even reversed. If the programme had been maintained, salt intake between 2014 and 2018 could have been further reduced, preventing thousands of premature deaths from stroke and heart disease. Action on Salt, a group of health experts and charities, is urging the government to prioritize mandatory salt reduction to revive the once-successful programme. They argue that the food industry alone cannot achieve the necessary reduction without government enforcement. The impact of salt reduction extends beyond adult health, as reducing salt intake in childhood reduces the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
UK government denounced by Action on Salt for failing consumers
