CANBERRA, Australia—Leading manufacturers Unilever, Heinz, Campbell Arnotts, and Nestlé, along with major retailers Woolworths, Coles and ALDI, agreed to reduce salt content in their soup products sold in Australia by the end of 2014. The commitment will cover the manufacturers and retailers who provide more than 90% of the market share for soup currently sold in the country.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King said in the future, dry soups will contain no more than 290 mg of sodium per 100 g of product (as prepared)—similar for wet and condensed soups—with a maximum target of 300 mg per 100 g of product. The products targeted and the amount of sodium reduction per year will be determined by the individual companies.
This fifth round of sodium reduction targets announced under the Food and Health Dialogue follows an earlier commitment by the food industry to reduce the sodium content of leading breads, breakfast cereals, sauces and processed meats sold in Australia.
“Research has found that consuming too much sodium (a major component of dietary salt) is linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, " King said. “With processed foods forming the bulk of the food supply for sale in Australia, manufacturers, processors and retailers have an increasingly important role to play in securing the health and well-being of the Australian community."
