Eating for health
Enabling consumers to choose a healthier diet and helping to reduce diet-related diseases, is one of the key aims of the Food Standards Agency as set out in their strategic plan to 2011.
Currently this takes the form of two key projects:
Salt is your food full of it?
Most people in the UK eat too much salt. High levels of salt in the diet can raise blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. This means that most people would benefit from cutting down on the amount of salt they eat. The Food Standards Agency has run a campaign to reduce salt consumption in the UK since 2003, visit www.salt.gov.uk to find out more
Saturated fats and energy intakes
Current population average intakes of saturated fat exceed public health recommendations and the rising levels of obesity indicate that energy (calorie) intakes currently exceed energy requirements. Both these conditions raise serious health concerns, particularly in relation to cardiovascular disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
The Agency has published its saturated fat and energy intake programme, which aims to reduce saturated fat intakes and contribute to helping consumers achieve and maintain energy balance.
This programme in underpinned by a broad range of Agency work on making healthy choices easier, e.g. nutrition labelling, and supports the Westminster Government’s obesity strategy, Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives. For more information go to: http://www.food.gov.uk/healthiereating/satfatenergy/