New analysis by the British Heart Foundation shows that people in the UK are consuming strikingly high levels of salt — the equivalent of around 155 packets of crisps every week. The Foundation is urging the Government to take immediate steps to cut the amount of salt added to everyday foods.
Working-age adults in England consume an average of 8.4 grams of salt per day, around 40 per cent above the Government’s recommended maximum of 6 grams.
On a daily basis, the gap between actual salt intake and national guidelines is roughly equal to eating six packets of ready-salted crisps.
Excess salt intake is a major contributor to high blood pressure, a condition linked to around half of all heart attacks and strokes.
According to research, bringing the UK’s average salt consumption in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations by 2030 could help prevent up to 135,000 new cases of coronary heart disease over the following 14 years.
Salt contains sodium, which is essential for maintaining fluid balance in the body. However, consuming too much draws excess water into the bloodstream, increasing blood volume and raising blood pressure.
Over time, this places additional strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and vascular dementia.
Around 30 per cent of UK adults are estimated to have high blood pressure, with as many as five million people unaware of their condition. Reducing salt intake remains one of the most straightforward and effective ways to lower this risk.
Hidden salt
Despite these dangers, a new poll we commissioned alongside YouGov of over 2,000 adults revealed that over half (56%) of Brits are not confident estimating their daily salt intake. Awareness of the UK national maximum guideline of 6g is low, with only 16 per cent correctly identifying the exact amount.
A fifth (20%) thought it was more than 6g, a third (32%) said they didn’t know, and another third (32%) thought the maximum guideline was 5g.
Dell Stanford, Senior Dietitian at British Heart Foundation, said:
“Most of the salt we eat is hidden in the food we buy such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, so it’s often hard to know exactly how much salt we’re consuming.
“This is bad news for our heart health, as eating too much salt significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure, a major cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious diseases.
“The Government must step in to make the healthy choice much easier for families by giving manufacturers an incentive to take out excessive amounts of salt from our food.”
Reducing salt intake across the population would deliver significant health benefits and save lives.
The charity is therefore urging the UK Government to cast a spotlight on salt and take decisive action to make everyday food healthier.
We’re calling on the Government to ensure its upcoming Healthy Food Standard – an initiative aimed at reducing obesity, includes mandatory targets that incentivise all major food companies to reduce salt levels in their products.
This, they hope, will be a huge step towards helping the UK get a handle on salt and improve nationwide health.
Excess sodium intake is associated with an estimated 1.89 million deaths globally each year
- Most populations worldwide consume more sodium than recommended.
- Average adult intake globally is about 4,310 mg of sodium per day (around 10.8 g of salt), which is more than twice the WHO recommended limit.
- WHO advises adults to consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium per day (under 5 g of salt, roughly one teaspoon).
- High-sodium diets raise blood pressure and are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, gastric cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, Ménière’s disease and kidney disease.
- Reducing sodium intake is among the most cost-effective public health measures: every US$1 invested in sodium reduction is estimated to return at least US$12 in health benefits.
Recommendations for reducing sodium (WHO)
- Adults should limit sodium intake to less than 2,000 mg per day (under 5 g of salt).
- For children aged 2–15 years, sodium intake should be lower than adult levels and adjusted to their energy needs.
- When using table salt, lower-sodium salt substitutes containing potassium are recommended.
- All consumed salt should be iodized to support healthy brain development and overall cognitive function.
09.01.2026.
