Potassium report welcomed by salt lobby group

18-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 26-Jan-2018 at 15:50 GMT

Potassium report: the potential benefits ‘outweigh’ the risks

A report that concluded using potassium-based salt replacers instead of sodium in food would have a positive impact on public health has been welcomed by lobby group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH).

The research, from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the Committee on Toxicity, found the potential benefits of using potassium-based sodium replacers outweighed any perceived risks, and would have a large impact at the population level.

Call for government action

CASH chairman Graham MacGregor said the government “must now act swiftly” to set new targets and proactively encourage food companies across different categories to explore the use of potassium-based sodium replacers.

“This would both help reduce sodium levels in foods, and stop thousands of people suffering and dying unnecessarily from strokes and heart disease,” he claimed.

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