Reduce salt intake, start with children – PAHO/WHO

High salt intake by children can predispose them to illnesses such as hypertension, osteoporosis, asthma and other respiratory diseases, obesity and stomach cancer, the Pan American Health Organi-zation/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) says.

It is therefore calling on the food-processing industry to reduce salt in their products—especially products for children—and to stop gearing the advertising of such products to them.

A press release from PAHO/WHO said that as World Salt Awareness Week is observed this week it is