LONDON, January 30 /PRNewswire/ -- As campaign group CASH (Consensus Action on Salt and Health) urgesshoppers to boycott foods with high salt levels, Waitrose today announcesfurther significant salt reductions across all of its product ranges.
The retailer has already reduced salt across many lines and is aiming toreach the majority of Government targets on salt reduction by the end of2007, three years ahead of the Food Standard Agency's 2010 schedule. Waitrosehas been working in partnership with all of its suppliers to meet this earlydeadline, ensuring product taste and integrity are not compromised by thesalt reductions.
Many major milestones have already been achieved, with Waitrose freshsoups and salted nuts currently meeting the FSA targets. Other examples ofbest practice include:
- 95% of Waitrose chilled pasta sauces meet the required levels already
- 93% of uncured meats at Waitrose currently meet the 2010 salt reduction targets
- Over 90% of Waitrose sausages already meet the required targets
- All but one variety of Waitrose standard crisps fall within the Government salt reduction targets
- Over 80% of Waitrose quiches and savoury tarts now meet the reduced salt levels for their category
- Over 80% of Waitrose sandwiches currently meet the 2010 salt reduction deadline
- Waitrose canned soups will meet reduced salt levels by June this year, with packet soups reaching the final target in September
- Waitrose savoury snacks have been reduced in salt by an average of 27%
- Only 22 Waitrose chilled ready meals still need to reach the salt reduction 2010 targets
As the first British retailer to adopt the FSA's criteria for trafficlight labelling, the announcement builds on Waitrose's nutritionalcredentials and comes as CASH's 'Salt Awareness Week' (29th January - 4thFebruary), highlights the need to reduce salt content in our diets.
Waitrose Nutrition Manager, Moira Howie, said: "We are delighted toannounce that Waitrose are on track to meet the majority of the Government'skey milestones for salt reduction by the end of this year - three years aheadof their 2010 deadline."
Notes to Editors
- Waitrose does not merchandise items which could be considered animpulse purchase such as sweets and chocolates at its checkouts
- Waitrose has supported Cash (Consensus on Salt and Health) since itsinception, and remains committed to helping the Government achieve thedietary goals laid out in their five-year strategy document within a variedand balanced diet
Waitrose Ltd.
For further information, or interviews with a spokesperson, please contact Daisy Norman or Suzanne Leggetter on +44-(0)207-403-6900/ +44-(0)7710-594-964 (Daisy) or email suzanne.leggetter@thespaway.com
