Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to raise awareness of the risks associated with unhealthy salt consumption.

Information on the impact of high salt intakes on health, and how people can lower their salt consumption, is communicated to consumers through the National Health Service website. Government dietary recommendations, including that adults should consume no more than 6 grams of salt per day, underpin the Eatwell Guide, which reflects the principles of a healthy balanced diet. These wider dietary principles are reflected through the GOV.UK website, NHS website, and the Department’s social marketing campaigns.

The food scanner app, delivered through the Department’s Better Families social marketing campaign, provides information on the salt content of commonly consumed foods by applying traffic light labelling criteria to scanned products. Those using the app can see how much salt is in their food or drink. It also suggests healthier alternatives, where these exist, with products that are lower in salt.