Chippys back healthier salt shaker

The borough's chip shop owners are backing a council campaign to reduce our salt intake and improve our health by using a salt shaker with fewer holes.

Too much salt has been linked to some of the country's biggest killers - heart attacks and strokes. In the run up to National Salt Awareness Week, the council's food safety experts are carrying out a trial with a range of local chip shops and other caterers who are switching to new 'low-flow' salt shakers to help customers cut their salt intake.

In the UK 85% men and 69% of women eat too much salt and the Government's Food Standards Agency recommends that anyone over 11 should have no more than 6 grams or about a level teaspoon in their diet every day. The new salt shakers have fewer holes so people can still enjoy their meal but more easily reduce the amount of salt they add.

The council's cabinet member for the environment and sustainability, Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "In the borough, the early death rate from heart disease and stroke is the third highest in England.

"The council is backing the use of the new shakers because everybody wins. They are healthier for customers because too much salt increases blood pressure and increases the risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. And at the same time, chip shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs save money because less salt is wasted and their food tastes just as good or better."