CARPHA is urging action on excessive salt intake following an increase in hypertension and heart disease in the region.
It says between 21% and 27% of Caribbean adults are hypertensive, with many populations consuming nearly double the WHO’s recommendation for salt.
It adds that high sodium intake contributes to approximately 1.89 million deaths annually worldwide.
In 2025, the WHO recommended that adults consume less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equivalent to less than 1 teaspoon of salt.
However, global average salt intake is estimated at 10.78 grams per day, more than double the recommended amount.
Only a small number of countries have implemented comprehensive national salt reduction strategies, with CARPHA now seeking to further this in the region.
As it joins the global observance of World Salt Awareness Week from May 11th – 17th, its campaign calls on governments, the food industry, and individuals to take stronger action to reduce excessive salt consumption and protect public health.
CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar says, “Many people do not realise that much of the salt we consume comes from processed and ultra-processed foods, not just from the salt added at the table. Through stronger policies, food reformulation, better labelling, and public education, we can reduce sodium intake and save lives. World Salt Awareness Week reminds us that reducing salt is one of the simplest and most cost-effective actions we can take to improve public health and protect future generations”.
Building upon the 2025 benchmarks, CARPHA proposed several sodium reduction measures, including school nutrition education, restrictions on advertising high-sodium foods to children, and public media campaigns.
Mandatory legislation for front-of-package labelling, nutrition facts panels, nutrition standards, and product reformulation are also identified as critical actions for reducing sodium consumption across the region.
