Survey: Consumers Underestimate Salt Intake

CHICAGOAbout 50% of urban consumers believe they eat less than 5 grams of salt per day, according to recent survey results released by DSM at the 2013 IFT Food Expo.

Survey respondents from the United States believe they eat the largest amount of salt, with more than 61% believing they consume 10 or more grams per day (twice the recommended daily amount). Nigerian consumers think they eat the lowest amount, with almost 65% reporting they eat less than 5 grams per day. A total of 5000 participants took the survey.

Actual salt consumption studies around the world show that people are likely to consume as much as three times the recommended daily amount. A 2012 report released by the European Commission revealed that men and women in Europe generally consume 6 to 18 grams of salt daily. In the United States, research presented at the American Society of Nutrition Experimental Biology Conference in Boston indicated that Americans sodium intake increased by 63 milligrams per day every two years from 2001 to 2010,which amounted to a 7.9% increase over that time.

The DSM survey also revealed 80% of people said they would be willing to lose some of the flavor in foods that they typically prepare and eat if they knew it would improve their health. Those living in China are most willing to make this change, while Americans are least willing. In spite of this, only 25% cited healthiness as a reason to buy a processed or pre-prepared food againtaste, convenience and price were all more likely to drive purchases. This supports previous research suggesting consumers are not likely to purchase products that are perceived to have less taste. A 2009 report by HealthFocus International found that just 34% of shoppers would avoid their favorite foods in order to eat more healthily.

The survey results confirm that we cannot assume consumers can make accurate judgments about the amount of salt in foods they consume," said Dennis Rijnders, business manager, Savory Ingredients Yeast Extracts at DSM. "Taste, convenience and price are more likely to be given as reasons to purchase foods again. Coupling great taste with health benefits, such as reduced sodium, is the best way forward in driving repeat purchases. The savory ingredient industry can help make this possible with benefits to consumers, food producers and society at large."

In March 2013, during Salt Awareness Week, DSM introduced its salt reduction toolbox of natural yeast extracts and process flavors. The toolbox offers ingredients that offer the health benefit of up to 50% reduced sodium without losing taste or texture.

For more information on the issue of excess sodium, read the Food Product Design feature, "Sodium Reduction: It's Complicated."