The Ministry of Health & Medical Services and the Ministry of Education launched the “Salt Awareness Week” to remind the public on the dangers of high salt intake in food.
Spearheaded by the National Food & Nutrition Centre at the Ministry of Health, the awareness program was launched at Dilkusha Girls School in Nausori this week. The event focused on educating young children on the dangers of high salt intake in foods especially in snack foods, fast foods and processed foods.
While speaking at the launch of the Salt Awareness Week, the Ministry of Education roving headteacher Mr Joseva Madraitabua said that salt consumption, if not controlled, can result in serious medical complications.
“Salt makes food more tasty but we need to know that excessive amounts of salt intake directly affects the different parts of our body and one of which is increase in blood pressure,” Mr Madraitabua said.
On an average a person is required to take only 5grams of salt per day while children under the age 5 should not be consuming salt.
This week, school canteens will also be part of salt reduction activities. Dilkusha Girls Primary School in Nausori and St Agnes Primary School in Nabua will be actively working with their canteen operators to provide healthy and low salt meals and snacks.
Other activities have been organised for the week.