Mandatory Salt Cuts would be more Effective
A new study from Australia has revealed that imposing statutory limits on the salt content of processed foods could be 20 times more effective than voluntary restrictions in terms of the impact on cardiovascular health.
The study, headed by the University of Queensland's Dr Linda J Cobiac, claims banning manufacturers from adding salt to ready meals, cereals, crisps and sandwiches would save tens of thousands of lives a year by lowering the number of heart attacks and strokes.
Heart attacks and strokes are by far the biggest killers in Britain, claiming 230,000 lives every year. But experts say that a fifth of these could be prevented by eating less sodium, the main component in regular table, sea and rock salts, as this increases blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
The study concluded that it is not cost effective enough to simply advise people on healthy eating and hope that they choose to cut their salt intake.
Instead, the study claims their calculations suggest mandatory reductions would achieve significant improvements in population health and an 18% reduction in morbidity from cardiovascular disease.
"Food manufactures have a responsibility to make money for their shareholders, but they also have a responsibility to society," the study concludes. "If corporate responsibility fails, maybe there is an ethical justification for government to step in and legislate."
Full Article: http://www.theheart.org/article/1143681.do
Written: 15th Novermber 2010
