The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged consumers to replace regular table salt with lower-sodium salt substitutes (LSSS) as part of its renewed global push to cut excessive sodium intake, a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. According to WHO estimates, high sodium consumption contributes to nearly 1.9 million deaths worldwide each year. While the organisation recommends limiting sodium intake to no more than 2 grams per day, average global consumption remains over double that level at around 4.3 grams.
To address slow progress, WHO has extended its original 2025 target of reducing sodium intake by 30 per cent to 2030. Lower-sodium salt substitutes, typically made by replacing part of sodium chloride with potassium chloride, are being promoted as a practical option to reduce sodium intake without significantly affecting taste. Health experts note that such substitutes may benefit people with or at risk of hypertension, though they caution against use by individuals with kidney disease or those on potassium-restricted diets without medical advice.
Experts also stress the distinction between salt substitutes and iodised salt. While salt substitutes focus on reducing sodium, iodised salt addresses iodine deficiency—critical for thyroid function and child development. India’s universal salt iodisation programme has played a key role in tackling iodine deficiency, with brands such as Tata Salt contributing significantly since the 1980s.