Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) releases the second edition of SHAKE the salt habit, a technical package for sodium reduction, to support countries in accelerating efforts to reduce high salt consumption, a major global health threat.
Most people worldwide have high sodium intake and live in environments that lead to excessive consumption. SHAKE presents a consolidated package of proven policies to help governments protect populations and save lives.
Globally, average sodium intake is estimated to be more than twice the WHO recommended limit of 2000 mg per day (equivalent to 5 g of salt or about one teaspoon), contributing to 1.7 million deaths in 2023. Excess sodium intake is a leading dietary risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease globally. While public health guidance frequently emphasizes reducing salt intake, food environments present persistent challenges, with high levels of sodium embedded in processed, packaged foods and often street food high in salt.
