TABLE 1.

Monitoring and action on salt in Samoa (MASIMA) salt reduction interventions in Samoa

Goals	Strategies	Actions	Deliverers
Influence policy and food environment to reduce salt consumption	1. Advocate for the Food Act to include:a. Labelling of sodium content on packaged foodsb. Mandatory salt targets for processed foods2. Engage the food industrya. Monitor salt content in foods for meetings3. Incorporate salt targets into the School Nutrition Standards	• Shop surveys and food composition analysis to determine salt content in foods• Consultation on Food Act with food industry• Proposals for incorporating PICs regional salt targets for foods into the Food Act• Proposals to incorporate salt targets in the School Nutrition Standards and monitor compliance• Food regulations as part of the Food Act were approved by director general and sent to cabinet (November 2016)	MOH (nutrition and legal team), WHO, SPAGHL, nutrition team, MCIL Codex Committee, MFAT and MESC
Mobilize the community to take action to reduce salt	4. Engage and mobilize community leaders to raise awareness and share tips to reduce salt intake including:a. Government ministriesb. Church leaders and groupsc. Village mayorsd. Schools and tertiary institutionse. Health workers and community health outreach programmesf. Food industry (restaurants, foods distributors/producers)	• Awareness and engagement talks about salt reduction with female mayors of Savaii & Upolu, other ministries’ community programmes, church groups, international rugby sevens tournament and schools• Dissemination of salt reduction resources (stickers, posters, leaflets and DVDs) to government ministries, NGOs, schools, GP clinics, health centres and hospitals (particularly to people with raised blood pressure)• Educate restaurants and food industry about salt• Presentations about salt reduction project at annual health sector forum (Nov 2014) and health promotion seminar for church conference (July 2015)	MOH, MWCSD and health partners
Increase awareness through media and advocacy campaigns	5. Disseminate salt reduction materials (leaflets, posters, bookmarks, stickers, salt reduction DVD) to community about the adverse health effects of excess salt intake, commonly eaten foods that are high in salt and should be avoided (e.g. processed foods) and tips to reduce the use of salt (use lemon, herbs and spices)6. Raise awareness through TV, radio, newspaper articles, billboards and Facebook and Salt Awareness Week activities	• Community awareness and distribution of resources (leaflets, posters, factsheets) during USO bike ride awareness programme (August 2014) and healthy lifestyle week (November 2014)• Salt reduction billboard display• Television and radio advertisements for World Salt Awareness Week (WSAW, March 2014 and 2015)• 2015 WSAW: mass media campaign, distribution of resources, Slash the salt community concert	MOH

DVDs, digital video disc; GP, general practice; MCIL, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour; MESC, Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture; MFAT, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; MOH, Ministry of Health; MWCSD, Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development; PIC, Pacific Island countries and territories; SPAGHL, Samoa Parliamentary Advocacy Groups for healthy living.