Excessive Salt Content in Meat Products.
Food industry's plan to decrease Salt, Sugar, and Fat in various food products isn't moving as planned. Salt levels in processed meats like sausages and ham are still excessive, as indicated by a survey from the Max Rubner Institute (MRI). Food Ministry's efforts to reduce Salt in heated meat products such as boiled sausage and cooked ham seem to be falling short.
The food industry's goal, set within the National Reduction and Innovation Strategy, to lower Salt in processed meat products, hasn't really been achieved. In fact, the content of Salt, Sugar, and Fat in bread, rolls, and sausage products has either remained the same or even increased since 2020.
The MRI conducted a comprehensive survey, examining over 1200 types of bread and small baked goods, around 3000 sausage products and meat dishes, and about 1600 rolls. The findings showed that the average Salt content in bread and small baked goods is nearly at the self-imposed target of large bakeries, but the reduction attempts didn't yield the desired results, according to the investigation.
Consumers demand legal regulations
Food Minister Cem Özdemir, in a press release, asserted that the food companies could do more for healthy eating. "High Salt levels persist in many products, even those specifically marketed towards children," he said. "Instead of relying on voluntary initiatives, the food ministry must impose binding regulations," it was suggested from the Consumer Center. Additionally, the Consumer Center called for binding standards for the composition and nutritional values of products designed to attract children with their appeal.
The government announced a nutrition strategy in January, aiming to reduce Sugar, Fat, and Salt in food, particularly for children, and promote more plant-based diets with less meat. The strategy also includes preventing the advertising of unhealthy food to children. However, this project from the coalition agreement has been stalled in the traffic light government coalition for months.
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Cem Özdemir, the Food Minister, advocated for binding regulations to address the high Salt levels in various food products, including those marketed towards children, as consumer groups demanded a more proactive approach from the food industry. Despite the food industry's goal to decrease Salt, Sugar, and Fat in processed meat products, a survey from the Max Rubner Institute revealed that the content of these substances in sausage and bread products has not significantly changed or even increased since 2020. The meat industry's excessive use of Salt and Sugar contributes to health concerns for consumers, underlining the need for stricter regulations within the food and meat industries.
