Indian’s salt overload |ForumIAS

Source: The post Indian’s salt overload has been created, based on the article “Just a pinch can reduce an Indian’s salt overload” published in “The Hindu” on 25 September 2025. Indian’s salt overload.

UPSC Syllabus: GS-2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: Excessive salt consumption is emerging as a significant public health issue in India, with rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite global recommendations to limit daily salt intake to five grams per person, Indians consume nearly double this amount, leading to numerous health complications.

Impact of Excessive Salt Consumption on Health:

Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases: Excessive salt contributes to high blood pressure, which significantly raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. The high prevalence of hypertension in India is largely due to excessive salt intake.
Obesity: The use of salt in processed foods and snacks increases their taste appeal, leading to overconsumption of such foods, contributing to obesity. Obesity, in turn, increases the risk of other NCDs.
Public Health Burden: The rising salt consumption in India is one of the major contributors to the growing burden of NCDs, which are responsible for millions of deaths each year. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to the impact of family and societal eating habits.

Sources of Excess Salt Consumption:

The major contributors to high salt consumption include:

Homemade Foods: Traditional Indian foods such as pickles, papad, and other snacks often contain high levels of salt.
Processed Foods and Eating Out: The growing trend of eating out and consuming packaged foods, such as chips, biscuits, and ready-to-eat meals, increases salt intake. These foods are often high in sodium and low in nutritional value.
Invisible Salt: Much of the salt consumed is ‘hidden’ in food items that do not appear salty, such as bread, sauces, and snacks. These foods contribute to the overall salt intake, which goes unnoticed.

Measures to Curb Excessive Salt Consumption:

Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness regarding the health risks of high salt intake is crucial. Educational campaigns can help inform the public about the dangers of excessive salt and encourage the use of healthier alternatives, such as black salt or Himalayan pink salt.
Policy Interventions: The government needs to introduce regulatory measures such as labeling the salt content in food products. Establishing standard guidelines for salt content in processed foods can encourage food manufacturers to reduce their use of salt.
Promote Healthier Alternatives: Encouraging the use of less-salty or salt-free alternatives, especially in home cooking, is key. This could include the use of herbs, spices, and other seasonings instead of excessive salt.
Salt Reduction in Processed Foods: Collaboration with food producers to reduce the amount of salt in processed and packaged foods is essential. The government could incentivize manufacturers who reduce the salt content in their products, as seen in several successful international models.
International Models: Countries like Chile have implemented strict regulations on salt content in food products, resulting in significant reductions in salt consumption. India can adopt similar measures by introducing mandatory salt reduction programs.
Role of the Healthcare System: The healthcare system must play an active role in monitoring and addressing the issue of excessive salt consumption. Regular health screenings for hypertension and related diseases can help identify individuals at risk. Additionally, health professionals should be trained to provide guidance on reducing salt intake and promoting healthier eating habits.