EuSalt

Salt and Health Newsletter 3

2011-10-25T11:28:00.002+02:00

Our body somehow knows what it needs to maintain itself in good health. Thus, it requires balanced adequate salt intake for pregnant women and their fetus, as for the elderly to maintain their cognitive function. As for threats to our health, iodine deficiency with its impact on brain development is still a serious concern in Europe; while a lower ratio of sodium to potassium might lead to lower mortality risks.

http://www.eusalt.com/pages/press-corner/file.handler?f=EuSalt%20SaltHealth%20Newsletter%20-%20October%202011.pdf

How can the Salt Industry contribute to achieve a healthy lifestyle?

2011-10-25T10:46:00.000+02:00

How can the Salt Industry contribute to achieve a healthy lifestyle? The innovative platform of diet, physical activity & health, explained by Mrs. Despina Spanou.

http://www.eusalt.com/pages/press-corner/audiovisuals.html

Why is CAN Europe supporting energy efficiency?

2011-10-18T17:16:00.000+02:00

Energy efficiency is the most cost effected way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Erica Hope gives a full explanation...
http://www.eusalt.com/pages/press-corner/audiovisuals.html

Mrs. Erica Hope, Senior Policy Officer in Energy Savings

2011-09-23T13:24:00.002+02:00

EuSalt spoke with Mrs. Erica Hope, Senior Policy Officer in Energy Savings. Who is Climate Action Network Europe?
http://www.eusalt.com/pages/press-corner/audiovisuals.html

A word on Salt for older people

2011-03-23T23:15:00.001+01:00

EuSalt would like to highlight the latest Newsletter from the New Zealand Nutrition foundation with a remarkable article on the danger of hyponatremia, an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood; associated with dehydration. Based on this scientific results, EuSalt endorse the importance of a balanced diet and a moderated debate on salt intake. Read here the personal story of a retired
Canadian cardiologist who, when he went to live in a retirement home, was immediately put on to a low salt diet.

Reactions on Open Letter

2011-03-11T15:28:00.000+01:00

We already received ambitious feedback from our Open Letter from the Industry...

"well done! I will use in contacts with MEPs."

"thank you very much for sharing the EU Salt position in light of the second reading of the proposal on a regulation on information to the consumer. I think we share several concerns like for example the correct labelling of sodium in the nutrition declaration."

" Moi aussi j'ai beaucoup travaillé sur le même sujet, et surtout sur le problème de l'origine que, en plus, l'Italie a anticipé avec une loi qui va toucher plusieurs matières (à voire, bien sûre, la position de la Commission)."

Nice weekend!

Open letter to Members of the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee

2011-03-10T20:56:00.000+01:00

EuSalt: The European Salt Producers' Association

Open letter to Members of the European Parliament’s ENVI Committee

EuSalt – the European Salt Producers’ Association – has been closely following the debates in the European Parliament regarding the Council regulation on the provision of food information for consumers. As an international non-profit association giving priority to the sharing of information and expertise with the public, EuSalt welcomes the initiative which will make accurate food information available to all consumers. After all, correct information is key to better choices and balanced diets.

The European Parliament is already well-versed in giving consumers the relevant tools to make well-informed choices, as can be seen below.

EP achievements relevant to EuSalt's position:

Educating consumers through labelling

In order to enable consumers to make well-informed choices, all EU institutions are pushing for more transparent food labelling. Nutrition labelling is crucial for healthier diets and eating habits and the EU is right to promote minimal harmonization that will reveal the true essence of the single market.

No color coding

The majority of the European Parliament’s members voted against the traffic-light system. Despite being in favour of consumer education and information, color coding is seen as far too simplistic and can in fact add to current consumer confusion. Indeed, consumers might have been focusing on the color code rather than on the composition of the food.

No Mandatory nutrition declaration (MND) for single ingredients

The European Parliament agrees with this declaration and is of the opinion that single ingredients are exempt from MND.

No front of pack labelling

The draft recommendation for second reading of the ENVI committee and the Council position does not mention the mandatory nutrition declaration specifically on the front of pack. Such a declaration would have proved problematic for many products.

Outstanding issues that need to be resolved.

important issues to be resolved

No country of origin labelling

The European Parliament is in favour of extending mandatory country of origin labelling to a large number of products, including single ingredients. EuSalt opposes this view as far as salt is concerned, as such labelling will not serve the best interests of the consumer as the taste nor the properties of salt meant for food change in respect to provenance or production site. Origin of labeling represents no added value for consumers and overburdens the industry.

mention of ‘salt equivalent + sodium’ instead of ‘salt’ in the Mandatory nutrition declaration

In the first reading, the European Parliament included the mention of ‘salt’ in only the mandatory nutrition declaration. EuSalt would like to stress that this goes against ‘correct and non-misleading information’. While setting accurate and correct nutrition information, it would be suitable to replace ‘salt’ with ‘salt equivalent + sodium’ – or at least, ‘salt equivalent’ - where salt equivalent = total sodium content x 2,54. By doing this, ‘salt equivalent’ cannot be confused with sodium chloride. Finally, EuSalt welcomes the Council's position at first reading of article 29 §1, which states that ‘where appropriate, a statement indicating that the salt content is exclusively due to the presence of naturally occurring sodium may appear in close proximity to the nutrition declaration’.

No mandatory nutrition declaration for fortified salt

This section focuses on the Commission's proposal and amendment 31 of the ENVI committee's Draft recommendation for second reading, ‘when considering the need for MND, account shall be taken of the potential costs and benefits to stakeholders, including consumers, producers and others of providing certain information’. Though Annex V of the proposal recognizes an exemption from the MND for ‘salt and salt substitutes’, there is no mention of fortified salt. Mentioning the complete nutrition declaration for fortified salt would represent no added value for consumers, as all values would equal zero except for ‘salt equivalent + sodium’ and the added nutrients. In addition, what is of utmost importance regarding fortified salt is to be able to communicate the specific nutrient content, such as iodine, fluoride and folic acid. This is crucial for EuSalt as it is heavily engaged in combating iodine deficiency diseases with organizations such as ICCIDD, UNICEF and WHO.

Wouter Lox Sandrine Lauret Raf Provost

managing director regulatory affairs manager communication & association affairs

wouter.lox@eusalt.com info@eusalt.com raf.provost@eusalt.com

EU health platform opts for “flexible approach” as obesity rises

2011-03-09T16:24:00.000+01:00

Ten years after the first European Commission reports were handed in, with little in the way of demonstrable obesity-reduction results, the European Union Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health is taking “a flexible approach” over coming years to tackling obesity rates that continue to rise in most of the bloc’s 27 member states. EuSalt promotes a healthy well-balanced diet.
read more

EuSalt starting with blog to inform consumers

2011-03-09T15:11:00.000+01:00