Consumers 'demanding lower salt levels'

The unveiling of a new low-salt commitment by one of the world's biggest soft drink companies is evidence that consumers are beginning to change their demands, it has been claimed.

PepsiCo has announced that they will reduce the average sodium content of their key brands by a quarter by 2015, a change which will affect products including Pepsi, Walkers and Tropicana.

The company also planned to cut saturated fats by 15 per cent by 2020 and reduce added sugar by 25 per cent by the same year, a move which has been welcomed by many experts.

These include Katharine Jenner, campaign manager at Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), who said that PesiCo's influence and market share can help to further promote lower salt levels.

She said that the move illustrated that consumers are increasingly demanding products with low salt and sugar levels as they look to avert obesity and diseases such as diabetes.

"If companies like PepsiCo are pledging to reduce their salt, it's a sign that consumers' tastes are changing and that these companies are finally responding. So it's definitely good news for salt reduction in the UK and the world," Ms Jenner said.

It has also been reported that the company has begun developing a new 'designer salt' intended to cut the levels of sodium in its crisps, which is thought to contribute to high blood-pressure, which can lead to strokes and heart and kidney problems.

The expert concluded: "We're hoping other companies will follow suit and reduce the salt in their products as well. If big companies like this are doing it, it is a sure-fire sign that times are changing."

Posted by Louise Jones

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