Technical Consultation On Setting Global Sodium Benchmarks For Different Food Categories

Technical consultation on setting global sodium benchmarks for different food categories

WHO global sodium benchmarks for different food categories

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established the second edition of the global benchmarks for sodium levels in 70 food subcategories as part of WHO’s efforts in reducing the sodium intakes in populations. This is an updated edition of the first edition which was released in May 2021. The setting of global sodium benchmarks is a very important step to facilitate reformulation of food products which contributes to driving progress in sodium reduction. These global benchmarks are intended to be complementary to ongoing national and regional efforts to set sodium targets. Global sodium benchmarks are also intended to be useful for countries in setting national policies and strategies and for the ongoing dialogue between WHO and the private sector at the global level.

Report of a series of expert meetings on developing WHO global sodium benchmarks, November 2020 - April 2021

In order to help drive progress towards the global target to reduce mean population sodium intake by 30% by 2025 for the prevention and control of NCDs, the World Health Organization (WHO) set global benchmarks for sodium levels in foods across different food categories, building on country experience of salt reduction. This is a report of a series of expert meetings, which WHO convened in November 2020, January 2021 and March 2021. The meetings were held virtually to review the results of the analyses of the existing country data on sodium targets; to assess priority food categories for which global sodium benchmarks should be developed; and to assess and finalize global sodium benchmarks for identified priority food categories.