Initiatives Aim to Promote Healthier Eating Habits
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has announced plans to tackle excessive salt consumption among Singaporeans, as highlighted by Parliamentary Secretary Rahayu Mahzam during the Committee of Supply debate on Wednesday (March 9).
Ms. Rahayu noted that residents in Singapore are consuming nearly twice the recommended daily limit for salt. The average intake stands at approximately 3,600mg of sodium daily, which equates to over one-and-a-half teaspoons of salt. This figure nearly doubles the World Health Organization’s guideline of under 2,000mg of sodium per day.
“High sodium consumption is linked to an elevated risk of hypertension, which can lead to severe cardiovascular issues such as strokes and heart attacks,” she explained. Ms. Rahayu also referenced data indicating that more than one in three Singaporeans aged 18 to 74 had hypertension between 2019 and 2020.
To address this, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) plans to collaborate with salt suppliers and the food service industry to promote the use of lower-sodium alternatives in cooking. These alternatives include lower-sodium salt, which contains 30% less sodium compared to regular salt.
“The food service sector significantly contributes to our sodium intake, and this influence is expected to grow as more Singaporeans dine out,” MOH stated. HPB will enhance its efforts under the Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme to encourage the industry to reformulate lower-sodium salts, sauces, and seasonings, expanding healthier options for consumers.
Additionally, HPB will invest in “upstream prototyping” for sauces and seasonings that utilize lower-sodium salt, focusing on products frequently used in the food service sector to foster business innovation.
Alongside ongoing public education initiatives, HPB will launch a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging Singaporeans to lower their sodium intake. “The campaign will raise awareness about the risks associated with high salt consumption, promote salt substitutes, and demonstrate how consumers can replace salt while maintaining flavor,” MOH stated.
Regarding healthcare support for ethnic minorities, Ms. Rahayu announced that HPB will team up with the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth to create the S$1.5 million Our Healthy Singapore Fund. This fund will empower community volunteers and partners to design programs that align closely with the specific needs of their communities, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of efforts to cultivate a healthier nation.
