Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will investigate the regulating of the salt content in foods in view of the fact that medical experts say it would help reduce the number of high blood pressure fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57684/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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High salt intake is implicated in the development of high blood pressure and in my Department’s National Cardiovascular Health Policy we have set a salt consumption target to reduce salt intake to the recommended 6 grams per day for adults by 2019.

To help achieve this we are participating in the EU Salt Reduction Framework which focuses on the reformulation of everyday foods that are the key providers of salt in the Irish diet.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland have a salt reduction initiative in place since 2004 and have worked with major Irish food companies towards receiving the 16% reduction target recommended by the EU Framework.