Only a teaspoon a day

10.05.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Jul 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP Paul Keetch recently attended a reception at the House of Commons to preview the Food Standards Agency's TV advert to encourage consumers to cut down on their salt intake.

The advert urges shoppers to always check labels on foods they buy to make sure they eat no more than 6 grams of salt a day, which is about a teaspoon. Around 75% of the salt we eat comes from processed food.

Mr Keetch said "We all struggle with reducing our salt intake and the FSA is doing valuable work to make it easier. Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke, so it's important to get your salt intake levels down. The FSA is urging people to check their food labels for salt - I'll certainly be checking mine!"

Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the Food Standards Agency, said "I was delighted to see Paul Keetch MP at this event and taking an interest in diet and health issues.

"We want to encourage consumers to check food labels before they buy to make healthier choices. MPs are busy people and they need as much help as everyone else. So, check the label."