Global salt intake is more than double the target | WHO’s salt reduction goal

Reducing salt is often thought of as a theme particular to Japan, but the target set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is aimed at the entire world.

Recommended level and reality

For adults, WHO recommends sodium intake of less than 2,000mg per day, which is equivalent to about less than 5 grams of salt.

Meanwhile, the global average sodium intake for adults in 2021 was reported to be 4,278mg per day. Converted to salt, that is about 10.78 grams. This is more than twice the recommended level. It means that most regions of the world are not reaching the target.

The 2025 deadline

WHO has set a goal of reducing global salt intake by 30% by 2025. It has also estimated that if countries implement cost-effective salt-reduction policies, approximately 7 million lives could be saved worldwide by 2030.

The substance of these policies does not rely only on individual effort. WHO has set sodium benchmarks for more than 60 food categories targeting processed foods, providing guidance for countries and industry. The idea is to reduce the salt content of the foods that are sold themselves.

Japan’s position

For Japan, the 2024 National Health and Nutrition Survey reported that salt intake had reached its lowest level in 12 years. For details, see this article summarized here.

Reducing salt is often taken to mean enduring bland flavors. But what WHO is trying to change first is the standards on the processed food side. Changing the environment before relying on individual awareness: this is at the center of the international approach.

References: World Health Organization (WHO); Japan WHO Association

※This article introduces statistics and system information published by public institutions and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any specific disease. If you have health concerns, please consult a medical institution.

—The Value Village Editorial Team