Dietary sodium levels surveys
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Dietary sodium levels among adults in the general population are calculated using the analysis of 24-hour urine samples.
The 2008 urinary sodium survey assessed salt intakes in the general adult population in the UK. The survey showed a reduction in the UK’s average daily salt consumption from 9.5g to 8.6g since the National Nutrition and Diet Survey (NDNS) in 2000/01.
The 2006/07 urinary sodium survey includes three studies, covering England, Wales and Scotland, which provide a 'snapshot' of overall sodium intakes. The survey showed a reduction in daily salt consumption since 2000/01.
The FSA (in conjunction with Health departments) has a target to reduce average salt intakes across the population from 9.5g to 6g per day. The baseline for the target has been set using the 2000/01 National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS).
