Study Conducted On Packaged Foods Sold In India Reveals High Salt Content

A study conducted by The George Institute for Global Health India on nearly 5,796 packaged food products in India revealed that it contains significantly high salt content. Packaged food items such as sauces, spreads and ready-to-cook products sold in the country was tested for high levels of salts, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks. 

Labeling Issues

The research conducted by the George Institute studies several packaged food items available in stores today and concluded that some products contains 10 times more salt, as compared to other products sold. The study also revealed that appropriate nutritional information were not printed on the labels of these products, which goes against the standards issued in 2011 from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) national nutrition labelling requirements for processed foods. The research study stated that two-thirds of products do not list salt as part of the ingredients list. 

Health Risks

Speaking to Economic Times regarding the study, Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director, The George Institute for Global Health India, noted that the “main problem caused by salt is high blood pressure which greatly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. These are all now leading causes of death and disability in India.” According to ET, the research study revealed that cooking sauces, table sauces and spreads contain nearly five-and-a-half grams of salt per 100 grams. Some packaged food products even contain 10 times the amount of salt required in such products. “This is particularly alarming as sauces and spread are often added to meals and with such high salt contents, it will add substantially more salt to the diet,” added Jha.