WHO Strengthens Global Sodium Reduction Guidance, Highlights Potassium-Enriched Salt

*This article is a summary of the World Health Organization (WHO) updated global sodium reduction guidance under the SHAKE framework. All information, data, and content are based on WHO publications and related WHO materials. For reference, please click here for the original news article and here for the latest WHO sodium reduction guidelines. 

Sodium is salt

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its global sodium reduction guidance under its SHAKE framework, strengthening recommendations to help countries reduce excessive sodium intake and lower the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A key focus of the updated guidance is the increased support for potassium-enriched salt as a healthier alternative to regular salt.

Why is This Important?

Excess sodium intake is a major global health concern and is strongly linked to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other noncommunicable diseases.

According to WHO, the global average sodium intake is around 4,278 mg per day (about 11 g of salt)—more than double the recommended limit of less than 2,000 mg sodium per day (5 g of salt).

Excess sodium consumption is associated with approximately 1.7 million deaths annually, making sodium reduction one of the most urgent and cost-effective public health priorities worldwide.

What Does the Updated WHO Guideline Include? 

The updated SHAKE framework provides governments with evidence-based strategies to reduce sodium intake at the population level. These include:

  • Reformulating processed foods to contain less sodium
  • Implementing front-of-pack nutrition labelling
  • Applying marketing restrictions on high-salt foods
  • Improving food procurement policies in public institutions
  • Conducting public education and behaviour change campaigns

These measures aim to reduce sodium consumption across entire populations and prevent diet-related diseases.

Potassium-Enriched Salt Recommendation

A key update in the WHO guidance is the stronger emphasis on replacing regular salt with lower-sodium, potassium-enriched salt substitutes where appropriate.

These substitutes replace part of sodium chloride with potassium, helping to reduce overall sodium intake while maintaining taste.

WHO recognizes potassium-enriched salt as a safe, practical, and cost-effective strategy to support healthier diets and reduce cardiovascular risk.

How Does This Help Health?

Reducing sodium intake can significantly lower blood pressure, which is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

WHO highlights that sodium reduction is one of the most cost-effective interventions in public health, helping to prevent millions of premature deaths and reduce healthcare burden globally.

WHO Recommendation on Sodium Intake

WHO recommends:

  • Adults: less than 2,000 mg sodium per day (less than 5 g salt)
  • Children: intake adjusted based on energy requirements
  • Use of iodized salt to support healthy development
  • Replacement of regular salt with lower-sodium salt substitutes containing potassium where appropriate
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