The Australian food and beverage industry is taking practical steps to help Australians reduce their salt intake, the country’s leading representative of food and beverage manufacturers has promised as World Salt Awareness Week kicks off. “While salt is an important part of our diet, we know that eating too much can contribute to high blood pressure and other cardio vascular illnesses,” Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Chief Executive Kate Carnell said. “That’s... ...Read more »

Australia’s food industry has been warned to make concrete changes in the reformulation of food products, and if fails, the Federal Government should consider regulations. The Standing Committee on Health and Ageing yesterday released its report on the inquiry into obesity in Australia, titled “Weighing it up: Obesity in Australia”, urging food manufacturers to do more to make a positive contribution to mitigate the high levels of overweight and obesity in Australia. Out of the... ...Read more »

The Australian food and beverage industry is continuing to review product formulations and processing technologies to reduce the use of salt, according to Australia’s leading organisation representing food and grocery manufacturers, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC). AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said that it was well known that most Australians have too much salt in their diet, putting them at risk from high blood pressure, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Recent research... ...Read more »

New research has cast concern over the sodium content of pizzas, with 94% of pizzas sold in Australia reportedly “overloaded with salt”. The pizza with the highest sodium was found by The George Institute to be Pizza Hut’s BBQ Meat Lovers, which – with 13 grams – provided more than double an adult’s recommended daily amount of salt. More than two thirds of takeaway pizzas examined contained double the daily recommended amount of salt for an adult, according to... ...Read more »

A new survey has put the spotlight on fast food meals, with many reportedly containing more salt than the government’s recommended daily maximum. Published today by the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH), the survey reviewed salt levels in a range of foods sold by six major fast food chains (KFC, Hungry Jack’s, Oporto, Red Rooster, Subway and McDonald’s). Most products contained excessive quantities of salt, they said. Three quarters of the sandwiches... ...Read more »

Coles new Housebrand Quality Brand Standards will assist the retailer to enhance the nutritional value of its housebrand foods. The brand standards document sets targets in areas such as salt, fat and artificial colours and flavours. “In new housebrand products, we will minimise the use of added salt by 25 per cent over five years and aim to be lower than the leading market brand equivalent,” said Coles Quality Manager, Jackie Healing. Professor Bruce Neal, Chair of the Australian Division... ...Read more »

Alarming results released today by the Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) show that only 2% of sausages in Australian supermarkets meet acceptable salt levels. AWASH revealed that one single sausage sandwich at a local barbecue could contain as much as 6 grams of salt; 100% of the maximum daily recommended amount for adults and almost double that recommended for children. The product overview shows that other products commonly eaten at barbecues, such as hamburger patties,... ...Read more »