DIETARY SALT AND HEALTH

Early day motion 503, tabled 27 January 2004 by Harry Barnes (Labour). Signed by 87 members.

That this House supports National Salt Awareness Day; notes the mounting evidence that a high-salt diet can lead to higher blood pressure and that high blood pressure contributes to around 100,000 deaths from heart disease and 50,000 deaths from strokes every year; also notes that many people are unaware of their intake of hidden salt in processed foods which on average constitute 75 per cent. of a person's intake of dietary salt; and calls on the Government to introduce measures to ensure food manufacturers significantly reduce the levels of salt in processed foods to take action to ensure clearer food labelling, such as translating sodium content into the salt equivalent, and to increase public awareness of recommended daily salt intake levels.

Signatures by party: Labour 56, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 5, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 3, Scottish National Party 1.