Report highlights high levels of salt and sugars in popular snacks

We welcome today’s report by Action on Salt showing the excessive salt and sugars in popular snacks, with the majority of products failing to meet the Government’s criteria for healthier food.

Alice Wiseman, ADPH Vice President said:

“Too much of the food we are sold has unnecessarily high levels of salt and sugars, putting increasing numbers of people at risk of developing potentially fatal heart conditions and increasing levels of obesity and tooth decay.

“Healthy food is around three times more expensive than unhealthy options and so, to improve the choice of foods on offer to us, we need to make the reformulation of products to reduce sugar, saturated fat, and salt mandatory. We also need to regulate how products high in salt and sugars are marketed, particularly to children and young people.

“Unless healthier alternatives become more accessible and affordable, the next generation will grow up to develop a whole host of largely preventable illnesses. Living with these conditions will not only impact them and their families and potentially cut short their lives but will also stop them from working and contributing to society and put even more pressure on our already stretched health and care services.”