The debate rages on about salt. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? . High Salt diets lead to illnesses. Yet there are essential benefits of salt which should also be noted. The key here once again is moderation

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Press Reports.........

Report highlights dangers of salt intake

Irish people are consuming far too much salt in their food and are increasing the risk of death through cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to a new report.

The report was published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland this morning.

It reveals that the average Irish adult consumes 10g of salt per day, compared to the recommended dietary allowance of 4g.

The authority is now calling on the public, the food industry and the Government to take pro-active steps and reduce the population's salt intake at least to an average of 6g a day.

The report reveals that while up to 20% of a person's daily salt intake is added in the home at the kitchen table, over half of the daily salt intake is through two food groups - meat and fish, and bread.

The Irish Heart Foundation has welcomed the report. It says one of the easiest and most practical ways to reduce salt intake is to reduce the concentration of salt in processed and convenience foods.

Source: RTE News, 05 April 2005 21:54

Salt advert complaint rejected


Sid the Slug fronted the health campaign
The advertising watchdog has rejected complaints about a public health campaign warning of the dangers of salt.
Members of the public complained that the Food Standards Agency's 'Sid the Slug' campaign was offensive and incorrect.

But the Advertising Standards Authority rejected the complaints.

It said the FSA was raising awareness of the dangers of high salt consumption, not all salt consumption.

We are disappointed in the decision as the campaign is based on scientifically unsound evidence

Peter Sherratt, Salt Manufacturers' Association
One person complained that the use of the name Sid was offensive.

But the ASA concluded that most people would find the use of the Sid the Slug character "humorous".

The FSA's campaign, launched last month, was aimed at encouraging people to cut their salt intake by warning that consuming too much salt was linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

It includes a series of TV, poster and print adverts featuring the animated Sid the Slug character.

The Salt Manufacturers' Association (SMA) had also lodged a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) about information on the FSA's website which the advertising watchdog rejected because it was outside its remit.

The association objected to the Sid the Slug character because it "is based on the fact that salt kills slugs and the assertion that it will kill also humans".

It has submitted a further complaint about the advertising campain, claiming the statement that "too much salt is bad for the heart" is misleading.

The SMA says that might not be true for everyone.

'Scientific advice'

Neil Martinson, from the FSA, said: "We are pleased that the ASA has decided that our new advertising campaign is unlikely to upset or mislead the British public.

"Sid the Slug was chosen to front the campaign as an amusing way to alert people to a very serious health message - eating too much salt increases the risk of high blood pressure which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

"The campaign was based on up-to-date independent scientific advice from experts and supported by industry, consumer groups and public health charities."

But a spokesman for the SMA said: "We have said from the very outset that Sid was based on poor science because there is no evidence that salt threatens life."

Britains told to cut Salt intake

Are there any benefits to salt?