Table 2.
National salt reduction strategies or action plans identified in countries of the EMR.
| Country | National Strategy and/or Action Plan |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | Reduce intake of salt-containing foods to less than 5 g/day amongst adults (>18 years)—2012 (MOH) (National Action Plan for 15 years, for the Reduction of NCDs) [189] |
| Egypt | Reach a target of 20% relative reduction by 2021 and 10% relative reduction (9 g/day) by 2025 for adults—2017 (MOHP) (National Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of NCDs 2017–2021) [31] |
| Iran | A 30% relative reduction in mean population intake of salt/sodium—2015 (Iranian National Committee for NCDs Prevention and Control) [190] |
| Jordan | Reduction of salt intake in the population to <5 g/day—2015 (MOH) (National Strategy And Plan Of Action Against Diabetes, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia And Obesity in Jordan) [191] |
| KSA | Salt reduction as per the WHO recommendation (no more than 5 g/day or 2000 mg of sodium/day)—2018 (SFDA) (Healthy Food Strategy, vision 2030) [157,159] |
| Kuwait | WHO recommended maximum of 5 g/day per adult—2013 (MOH) (Kuwaitis lower blood pressure by reducing salt in bread) [62] |
| Morocco | A reduction in population salt intake by 10% by 2025—2015 (MOH) (Prevention of NCDs: Multisectoral Action Plan for a Healthy Lifestyle 2015–2020) [172] |
| Oman | Recommended salt intake: 5 g/day—2019 (MOH) (National Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030, National Plan for Prevention of NCD 2016–2025) [173] |
| Qatar | Salt intake as per the WHO recommended maximum of 5 g/day for adults—2013 (MOPH) (Part of Nutrition & Physical Activity Action Plan 2011–2016) [180] |
| Tunisia | Reduce mean salt intake by 30% by 2025 amongst 15 year olds and above—2018 (MOH) (National Multisectoral Strategy for Prevention and Control of NCDs) [86] |
| UAE | Reduce population salt intake by 30%—2017 (MOHAP) (National Action Plan in Nutrition) [185] |
Abbreviations: EMR: Eastern Mediterranean Region; KSA: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; MOH: Ministry of Health; MOHAP: Ministry of Health and Prevention; MOHP: Ministry of Health and Population; MOPH: Ministry of Public Health; NCDs: non-communicable diseases; SFDA: Saudi Food and Drug Authority; UAE: United Arab Emirates; WHO: World Health Organization.