Perspectives of the public on reducing population salt intake in Ireland

Abstract

Objective: As countries struggle to meet the set targets for population salt intake, there have been calls for more regulated approaches to reducing dietary salt intake. However, little is known about how the public perceives various salt reduction policies; an important line of investigation given that the implementation and success of these policies often depend on public sentiment. We investigated the attitudes and beliefs of consumers towards salt reduction and their support for thirteen different government-led salt reduction policies. Design: A cross-sectional online survey measured participants' knowledge, beliefs and attitudes in relation to salt reduction. Setting: The survey was carried out with participants from the Republic of Ireland. Subjects: Five hundred and one participants recruited via a market research agency completed the survey. Results: We found that the vast majority of participants supported eleven of the government-led salt reduction policies, which included measures such as education, labelling and salt restriction in foods (both voluntary and regulated, across a range of settings). The two proposed fiscal policies (subsidising low-salt foods and taxing high-salt foods) received less support in comparison, with the majority of participants opposed to a tax on high-salt foods. A series of multiple regressions revealed that individual attitudes and beliefs related to health and salt were stronger predictors of support than sociodemographic factors, lifestyle or knowledge. Conclusions:The study provides an important evidence base from which policy makers may draw when making decisions on future policy steps to help achieve national salt targets.

A survey of Chinese consumers’ knowledge, beliefs and behavioural intentions regarding salt intake and salt reduction

“…The survey included twenty-nine questions exploring knowledge on salt and salt reduction, consumer beliefs and behavioural intentions related to salt reduction, and consumer perspectives on strategies to reduce the population's salt intake. Survey design was informed by previous literature (25,26) , pilot studies, and consultations with public health practitioners and experts. Declarative salt knowledgefactual knowledge regarding intake of salt in the dietwas assessed using questions from previous literature, adapted to be culturally suitable (25,26) .…”

“…Survey design was informed by previous literature (25,26) , pilot studies, and consultations with public health practitioners and experts. Declarative salt knowledgefactual knowledge regarding intake of salt in the dietwas assessed using questions from previous literature, adapted to be culturally suitable (25,26) . Six questions assessed participants' understanding of dietary sources of salt intake, the maximum recommended daily salt intake (entered in grams per day or 'don't know') and the relationship between salt and health (see Table 2 for full wording of the questions).…”

Applying a Consumer Behavior Lens to Salt Reduction Initiatives

“…Reaching global salt reduction targets will require a multi-actor approach comprising of government, public health agencies, the food manufacturing industry, the restaurant and catering industry, scientists, health care professionals, and consumers working together [ 13 ]. Future research is needed to better understand the different viewpoints which drive the reformulation agenda and more broadly, the process through which salt reduction policies and strategies are developed [ 45 , 46 ]. In so doing, this will help to build a better understanding of the extent to which current strategies are being developed to meet the needs of consumers and whether more can be done to ensure that the voice of the consumer is being accounted for during the policy-making process.…”

Effectiveness and Feasibility of Taxing Salt and Foods High in Sodium: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

“…Of these, 15 studies evaluated the effects of salt taxes, either through modeling ( n = 8) ( 31 – 38 ), real-world evaluation of impact ( n = 4) ( 39 – 42 ), experimental study ( n = 2) ( 43 , 44 ), or review of cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ( n = 1) ( 45 ). Two studies reported on consumer attitudes and stakeholder perceptions toward taxation of high-salt foods ( 42 , 46 ). Lastly, 6 studies provided information relevant to implementation of salt taxes in 5 countries ( 15 , 39 – 42 , 47 ), including the 4 real-world evaluation studies.…”

“…Two studies reported on consumer attitudes toward salt taxation. In Ireland ( 46 ), salt tax was the least popular of proposed salt reduction initiatives, though 42% of those surveyed were in favor. Support for salt taxation was highest amongst those who saw food manufacturers as responsible for reducing salt consumption, suggesting knowledge of the food production process could be key to winning public support.…”