The salt intake by Malaysians is 25% higher than that set by the World Health Organisation, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010 stated that the salt intake should not exceed one teaspoon or 5gm a day, which is equivalent to 2,000mg of natrium a day.
“However, the Food Intake Among Malaysian Adults Research 2002/2003 study stated that the natrium intake for adults is 2,575mg a day,” he said at a campaign on reducing sugar intake here yesterday.
Liow said Malaysians should make amends as high salt consumption was closely related to high blood pressure.
“The National Health and Morbidity Survey III (2006) found that the prevalence of hypertension among Malaysian adults is 43%,” he said.
Liow added that in Malaysia, labelling was not required for nitrate as the focus of nutritional labelling catered only to four key nutrients - energy, protein, carbohydrate and fats.
“However, we do monitor the contents in processed food and encourage manufacturers to produce low-salt food,” he said, adding that canned luncheon meat and sardines had high salt content.
“We urge the public to take more fresh food instead,” he added.
On sugar intake, Liow said obese adults increased from 4.4% in 1996 to 14% in 2006.
“Studies also showed that the prevalence of diabetes among those above 30 years old has increased from 8.3% in 1996 to 14.9% in 2006,” he added.
He said the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010 stated that the salt intake should not exceed one teaspoon or 5gm a day, which is equivalent to 2,000mg of natrium a day.
“However, the Food Intake Among Malaysian Adults Research 2002/2003 study stated that the natrium intake for adults is 2,575mg a day,” he said at a campaign on reducing sugar intake here yesterday.
Liow said Malaysians should make amends as high salt consumption was closely related to high blood pressure.
“The National Health and Morbidity Survey III (2006) found that the prevalence of hypertension among Malaysian adults is 43%,” he said.
Liow added that in Malaysia, labelling was not required for nitrate as the focus of nutritional labelling catered only to four key nutrients - energy, protein, carbohydrate and fats.
“However, we do monitor the contents in processed food and encourage manufacturers to produce low-salt food,” he said, adding that canned luncheon meat and sardines had high salt content.
“We urge the public to take more fresh food instead,” he added.
On sugar intake, Liow said obese adults increased from 4.4% in 1996 to 14% in 2006.
“Studies also showed that the prevalence of diabetes among those above 30 years old has increased from 8.3% in 1996 to 14.9% in 2006,” he added.
