Report of the Meeting of the WHO Action Network on Salt Reduction in the Population in the European Region (ESAN)

WHO has identified cutting salt intakes as a priority for preventing non-communicable diseases and, globally, countries have already committed to cut salt intakes by 30% between 2010 and 2025. Although countries have been taking policy action, however, it is clear that progress is uneven and insufficient—no European country is currently on track to meet that global target. The WHO Action Network on Salt Reduction in the Population in the European Region was established in 2007 as a response to the increasing salt consumption of the population. The network—which now consists of 29 WHO European Region Member States—met in Lisbon, Portugal on 20-21 April 2016. The meeting heard about the latest progress on salt reduction from selected countries and explored various methods of measuring and monitoring salt levels in food and salt intakes. Participants learned about state of the art science—including the latest evidence on salt and health outcomes—and the latest  technological developments to facilitate further reductions in the levels of salts in foods. The meeting also heard clear evidence that salt reduction strategies can and do work. The growing evidence base on successful salt reduction strategies provides a wealth of information for policymakers to learn from others’ experience and to identify the most effective approaches to reduce salt intakes and improve population health.