Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to evaluate the effectiveness of the salt reduction programme, and what plans they have for further measures to achieve that public health objective.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Evaluation to date has shown that through the voluntary programme, salt reductions of up to 20% have been achieved in some products. Data also shows that retailers and manufacturers have a higher proportion of products that meet the targets set than the out of home sector. Planning for future monitoring of salt reduction in foods is ongoing.

The legislated restrictions on the advertising of junk food on television and online, and on the promotion of less healthy foods in certain locations in supermarkets and with reduced prices, also target foods that are high in salt, through the inclusion of products such as crisps, pizza, and sandwiches, and through the criteria that are used to assess the “healthiness” of products, which includes salt levels per 100 grams.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government has committed to introducing healthy food sales reporting for all large businesses in the food sector before the end of this Parliament and to set targets to increase the healthiness of sales in all communities. This mandatory measure will cover foods that are high in salt.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish updated data on population level salt intake.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Salt intake is assessed through an analysis of sodium in urine samples. The next urinary sodium survey of adults aged 19 to 64 years old in England is planned to start in late 2026, with the results published in 2029.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the mandatory targets proposed under the healthy food standard on population salt intake.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. The Plan committed to introducing mandatory healthy food sales reporting for all large businesses in the food sector before the end of this Parliament and targets to increase the healthiness of sales in all communities, in line with United Kingdom dietary guidelines. This will set full transparency and accountability around the food and drink that businesses are selling and to encourage healthier products.

The policy is expected to cover foods that are high in salt and we expect businesses to consider salt reduction as part of actions to increase the healthiness of their sales.