Belgians consume less salt

Salt consumption in Belgium has decreased by 10% compared to eight years ago when the records began, according to new data from the FPS Public Health and food industry federation Fevia, reports VRT. On average, Belgians eat one gram per day less salt, but it is still too much, says the health department.

Most of the salt ingested on a daily basis comes from processed foods bought in the supermarket. The FPS Health and the food industry agreed to reduce the salt content in those products eight years ago.

"The food industry was tasked with reducing the salt content in products," says Sven Hendrickx of the FPS Health on Radio 1. "This was done in such a way that the consumer didn't notice anything.”

The effort paid off, as salt consumption in Belgium has dropped 10% in the last eight years. Urine samples show that Belgians now eat an average of 9.5 grams of salt per day, or one gram of salt per day less than in 2007.

There is still room for impovement, however, says the FPS Health, which recommends a consumption of no more than 5 grams of salt per day.

"But there is a minimum amount of salt needed to make a decent product," realises Nicholas Courant of Fevia. "And our palates are accustomed to rather salty food.”