Potassium-based Salt Replacers

27 November 2018

We join UK charities to support the use of potassium-based sodium replacers for lowering salt intake and blood pressure 

The purpose of this document is to set out the joint position of Action on Salt, World Action on Salt and Health and Blood Pressure UK on the use of potassium-based sodium replacers to reduce population salt (sodium chloride) intake.

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), in collaboration with the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), have conducted an extensive review of the potential benefits and risks of potassium-based sodium replacers to population health. They recommended that the government encourage the food industry to consider the use of potassium-based sodium replacers to reduce the salt content of food.

SACN and COT tested replacing 15% of sodium in bread and 25% of sodium in other commonly consumed foods with potassium and found that the benefits outweigh the potential risks, with those benefits having a large impact at the population level.

In our news release from November 2017, we explain why this long-awaited report was carried out and the importance of it’s findings. 

Action on Salt, World Action on Salt and Health and Blood Pressure UK agree with the SACN and COT joint report and recommend the use of potassium-based sodium replacers as one way the food industry can reduce the sodium content of food products.

Using sodium replacers will also lead to an increase in potassium intake, which will benefit the health of the UK population as most people don't meet the daily recommended amount for potassium.

While reformulation with sodium replacers is technically feasible in the majority of foods and will help reduce salt content, we are ultimately working towards reducing population preference for salt and salty foods.

View our full position statement below. 

Final policy position statement on Potassium and Salt [PDF 630KB]