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SOURCE: CMC- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is warning that sodium consumption levels in the Caribbean are twice as high as recommended, contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
In a new report, PAHO underscores the urgency of implementing strategies such as mandatory sodium content reduction in foods, front-of-package warning labelling, and the regulation of marketing for high-sodium products.
The report, titled ‘Dietary Sodium in Caribbean Populations’, summarises available data on sodium consumption in the Caribbean over the past 10 years.
It focuses on dietary sodium/salt intake studies, urinary sodium excretion, and sodium content in packaged foods. The findings indicate a high sodium/salt intake, nearly double the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended two grams of sodium per day, which could increase the burden of chronic diseases in the region.
Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the Americas and PAHO said evidence shows that excessive sodium consumption is a key risk factor for developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, emphasising the importance of reducing sodium intake among the population.
WHO member states have set a global target to reduce sodium/salt consumption by 30 per cent by 2025, which is essential to achieving a 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from NCDs.
“Excessive sodium consumption is a public health challenge that requires urgent and coordinated responses. Evidence shows that reducing sodium intake in the population can prevent cardiovascular diseases and other NCDs, improving people’s quality of life and reducing pressure on health systems,” said Dr Anselm Hennis, Director of the Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO.
In many countries, approximately three-quarters of the sodium consumed comes from processed and ultra-processed foods, including bread, cereals, processed meats and cheese.
In Barbados, ultra-processed foods account for 40.5 per cent of daily caloric intake. Meanwhile, in Trinidad and Tobago, an analysis of 1,239 processed and ultra-processed products found that many food categories, such as sauces, dressings, and fish and seafood products, exceed the sodium thresholds established by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model.
Urinary sodium excretion, a key indicator of sodium intake, also confirms this trend.
In Barbados, a study of Afro-Caribbean adults found an average sodium excretion of 2,656 mg/day, with 68 per cent of participants exceeding WHO recommendations.
PAHO said despite progress in sodium reduction policies in the region, implementation remains uneven.
A 2021 PAHO mapping found that out of 34 surveyed countries, 24 or 70 per cent had NCD reduction policies that included a recommendation to lower sodium/salt intake in line with WHO guidelines. However, only six had comprehensive national strategies.
PAHO said strengthening sodium/salt reduction strategies, particularly those targeting the food industry, is essential.
It said among the most effective measures are the mandatory implementation of front-of-package warning labels on high-sodium products, regulation of ultra-processed food marketing to children and reformulation of processed and ultra-processed foods to reduce their sodium content.
Additionally, promoting nutritional education through social marketing is key to raising awareness about the risks of high sodium consumption and encouraging healthy eating habits.
PAHO and the WHO say they have developed various tools to support member states in their efforts to reduce dietary sodium intake in the Americas, including The SHAKE Technical Package for Salt Reduction.
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