Unilever Foodsolutions supports FSA Salt Awareness campaign

Unilever Foodsolutions is underlining its support of the Food Standards Agency salt targets in line with the consumer TV campaign, launched on October 5, 2009.

The ad features Jenny Sinclair and highlights the 6g a day recommendation and specifically raises the issue of too much salt in the diets of children.

Healthy eating is becoming increasingly important to consumers when eating out of home. In a recent study by the FSA, 40% of respondents claimed that they wanted to eat healthily when out of home.

In the same study, one in four stated that they had reduced their salt intake in the past six months.

Tracey Rogers, managing director at Unilever Foodsolutions said: "Current trends demonstrate that there is a need for operators to provide healthier food and the salt ads are likely to further raise awareness of this important issue.

"It is encouraging to see a range of initiatives to reduce salt consumption appearing out of home, such as removing salt from tables and using alternatives such as herbs and spices to flavour recipes. However, salt has been used for centuries to enhance flavour so reducing and replacing it requires training and education.

"The Eatz4U programme that we are rolling out in schools around the UK is a good example of how our team works with customers to reduce salt in foods, which is an essential requirement of the nutrient-based standards. I would hope that by reducing salt levels among pupils we can help re-educate palates to want less salt in years to come."

As a manufacturer Unilever is committed to reducing salt across its entire product portfolio. Since 2005, Unilever Foodsolutions has made significant reductions in salt levels in KNORR soups (25%), KNORR sauces (27%) and KNORR powdered bouillon (33%).

Words: Clare Riley

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