According to a poll of nearly 2,000 British adults, just 14 percent were aware if 1g of sodium contains more salt than one with 1g of salt. Acting as a silent killer, the hidden salt is mainly found lurking in processed foods.
FSA warned that high salt intake causes high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease. The new study finds that Britons end up consuming an average 9g a day, as against a recommended daily intake of 6g, mainly due to hidden salts.
The FSA launched a round of TV ads on Monday to make the consumers aware of checking food labels for salt content as the Salt levels can vary from product to product with an option of lower salt always present.
The FSA's salt reduction campaign results in 2001 revealed a drop in the average daily salt intake from 9.5g in 2001 to 9g per day. The male intake dropped from 11g a day to 10.2g a day, the female intake fell from 8.1g a day to 7.6g a day.
According to BBC reports, 40 percent of Britons make a conscious effort to reduce their salt intake but it was also found that nearly 90 percent of them were cutting down salt consumption by completely phasing out salt from their diet.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint told BBC that increasing consumer awareness is an important step in "driving the market towards lower salt options, and complements our partnership work with the food industry to deliver across the board salt reductions."
