A new Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) report reveals that sodium/salt consumption in the Caribbean is almost twice the recommended level.
According to the organisation, the situation contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
A PAHO release said the report underscores the urgency of implementing strategies such as mandatory sodium content reduction in foods, front-of-package warning labeling, and the regulation of marketing for high-sodium products.
The release disclosed that the report, Dietary Sodium In Caribbean Populations, summarises available data on sodium consumption in the Caribbean over the past 10 years.
“The review focuses on dietary sodium/salt intake studies, urinary sodium excretion, and sodium content in packaged foods. The findings indicate a high sodium/salt intake, nearly double the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended 2 grams of sodium (5 g of salt) per day, which could increase the burden of chronic diseases in the region,” it stated.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in the Americas.
Evidence shows that excessive sodium consumption is a key risk factor for developing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, emphasising the importance of reducing sodium intake among the population, PAHO said.
In addition, PAHO noted that in many countries, approximately three-quarters of the sodium consumed comes from processed and ultra-processed foods, including bread, cereals, processed meats, and cheese.
Citing Barbados, the organisation observed that ultra-processed foods account for 40.5% of daily caloric intake.
In the case of Trinidad and Tobago, PAHO revealed that an analysis of 1,239 processed and ultra-processed products found that many food categories—such as sauces, dressings, and fish and seafood products—exceed the sodium thresholds established by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model.
