Skip to main content
menu

World Action on Salt. Sugar & Health

Greece

2016

In March the Management Board of the Hellenic Food Authority endorsed the Salt Reduction Strategy 2016-2020. Within the plan are reformulation actions for salt reduction in bread, as well as generally raising awareness of the need to reduce salt consumption within the population. The Strategy also states that the public can help with its success by demanding less salt from manufacturers and choosing low salt options at the supermarket. 

The four pillars of the Strategy are:

  • Data collection (salt intake and major dietary sources, knowledge and attitude of adults and teenagers)
  • Raising awareness of salt and the danger it poses to health: public and health professionals
  • Reducing salt content of foods and meals
  • Monitoring and evaluation.

2013

In 2013, the WHO reviewed salt reduction programs in the European region and produced ‘Mapping salt reduction initiatives in the WHO European Region’. Below is a summary of salt reduction activities in Greece, as reported within this document:

The National Plan of Action for Nutrition and Eating Disorders 2008–2012, developed by the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, describes salt reduction activities including implementation of legislation regarding food labelling, with information on the salt and fat content. The Plan also has guidelines on the advertising of a healthy diet, especially to children, and recommends consuming less salt, fat and sugar. Work to reduce foods with less salt, fat and sugar is planned in collaboration with the food industry.

The National Action Plan for Cardiovascular Diseases 2008–2012 mentions the importance of salt reduction but does not specify salt reduction initiatives.

There are no available data on the level of salt intake in the population. The National Plan of Action for Nutrition and Eating Disorders promotes cooperation with the food industry to produce food that is lower in sugar, salt and fat.

The Ministry of Health organises information programmes and education about the traditional Greek diet, healthy eating, obesity and physical activity as part of primary and secondary education. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health have also collaborated to help prevent the sale of food high in fat, salt and sugar in school canteens.

Return to top