News article
27 August 2011
Scientists called in to try to meet new salt targets
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PRESS RELEASE
Retailers and food manufacturers are funding research in an effort to meet
challenging targets to reduce levels of salt in food. The work is being
commissioned
by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Food and Drink Federation (FDF).
The Government's Public Health Responsibility Deal, launched in England in
March, included a commitment to reduce salt levels by another 15 per cent by
the
end
of 2012, compared with 2010. In some cases this will only be possible if new
techniques are found to help preserve and flavour food.
Retailers and manufacturers in the UK are leading the rest of the world in
reducing salt levels in food, and many met the previous target on salt
reduction
a
year early. Salt is present in food for many reasons as well as flavour,
including
structural and food safety roles. It is hoped that the project which is now out
to tender will identify new ways to reduce salt levels.
British Retail Consortium Deputy Food Director, Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, said: “Our members have made fantastic progress reducing the levels of salt in food
in recent years. In some cases we've come as far as we can without help from
science. The fact retailers are choosing to spend their own money looking for
new
solutions shows how seriously they take their commitment to public health.
“If salt is reduced further there's a danger that products will no longer taste
the way customers want them to. It's pointless to put this much effort into
reducing salt as an ingredient if consumers simply add a large amount
themselves. We
also need to find ways of preserving food effectively so it doesn't go to
waste.”
Terry Jones, Food and Drink Federation Communications Director, said: “Food manufacturers have already gone to great lengths to reduce the salt
content of many of the UK's much-loved brands while keeping the great taste
that
consumers demand. Nevertheless with the challenging 2012 targets on the
horizon,
we
are funding this work on behalf of our members to identify and assess technical
solutions to further reduce salt in key categories.”
More information
- FDF Press team
-
Nicki Hunt on or 020 7420 7132 - nicki.hunt@fdf.org.uk
-
Rebecca Wilhelm or 020 7420 7140 - rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk
-
Sarah Jenkinson or 020 7420 7131 - sarah.jenkinson@fdf.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- View the full terms of reference for the project
- The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the food and drink
manufacturing industry – the UK's largest manufacturing sector. For more
information
about FDF and the industry we represent visit: www.fdf.org.uk
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