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?