Dietary sodium reduction in Canada: more action is needed to reach the 2025 global targets

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 194; no. 10; pp. E387 - E388
• Main Authors: Arcand, JoAnne, Campbell, Norm R C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada CMA Joule Inc 14.03.2022; CMA Impact, Inc; CMA Impact Inc
• Subjects: Advocacy; Canada; Cardiovascular disease; Chronic illnesses; Consumers; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Disease prevention; Food; Health promotion; Humans; Hypertension; Labeling; Laws, regulations and rules; Marketing; Nutrition; Nutrition policy; Physicians; Planning; Political aspects; Population; Potassium; Primary care; Public health; Salt; Salt-free diet; Social aspects; Sodium; Sodium, Dietary - analysis; Canada
• ISSN: 0820-3946; 1488-2329
• DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.211787

Excess dietary sodium is a leading dietary risk factor for death and disability worldwide, owing to its adverse impacts on cardiovascular health. The World Health Organization prioritized dietary sodium reduction as a "best buy" population health intervention, and included a "30% reduction in population sodium intakes by 2025" as 1 of 9 global targets for noncommunicable disease prevention. In 2010, a Sodium Reduction Strategy was adopted by Canada's federal government and was strongly endorsed provincially. The importance of sodium reduction was re-emphasized in 2019 with Canada's revised Food Guide. Although Canada has seen some success in sodium reduction, most people in Canada consume more sodium than recommended, with 97% of men and 81% of women exceeding the Adequate Intake level (1,500 mg/d), and 74% of men and 49% of women exceeding the Chronic Disease Risk Reduction level (2,300 mg/d). Here, Arcand and Campbell discuss the action that is needed to support people in Canada to reduce their sodium intake and ensure that Canada meets the 2025 global target for dietary sodium.