Rise in amount of hidden salt

The amount of hidden salt in everyday Australian foods has risen by nearly 10 per cent in three years, according to findings released by The George Institute for Global Health.

Researchers looked at around 28,000 food products and found that, on average, salt levels increased by nine per cent between 2008 and 2011 although there were significant reductions in certain categories and by some food companies.

The average Australian eats around nine grams of salt a day, much more than the maximum of six grams recommended by the Heart Foundation for healthy Australians and four grams for people with existing high blood pressure or heart disease.

“Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease, the number one killer of Australian men and women,” said Dr Robert Grenfell, National Cardiovascular Health Director at the Heart Foundation.

“Cutting the nation’s salt intake by three grams a day would prevent an estimated 6000 deaths a year from heart disease and stroke,” Dr Grenfell added.

For more information about salt and high blood pressure, visit heartfoundation.org.au or call the Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87.