Excessive sodium consumption causes high blood pressure; public education campaign may help

• The government launches a £4m poster and TV advertising campaign to combat excessive salt consumption today amid concerns about the risk to public health posed by its links with high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes.
• The Food Standards Agency (FSA) initiative highlights the excessive salt content in our everyday diet and its link with high blood pressure, which substantially increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• At least 26 million people in the UK are eating more than the recommended daily salt intake of 6g.
• He said the human cost, in terms of illness and death, and the costs to the National Health Service, were very high.
• Many campaigners believe the biggest way to cut salt is to target food and drink manufacturers.
• Earlier this year, Melanie Johnson, health minister, asked large food companies how they were planning to reduce the levels of salt in their products.
• She was not satisfied with the responses, arguing that they were too vague, and ordered them to redraft their action plans.
• Ms Johnson has so far resisted calls for a clearer labelling system, but she wants to see food manufacturers setting far more ambitious targets for salt reduction.
• The trade body said it was focusing on salt consumption, when alcohol and obesity were major contributors to high blood pressure.
• The FSA said the food industry had taken steps to reduce salt levels, although it warned that more action was needed.
• Among others backing the initiative was Graham MacGregor, chairman of the lobby group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash).
• Research published last week by Cash revealed huge differences in salt content among the most popular foods after examining 3,000 foods in 12 supermarkets.