Your Health

Where does salt come from?

Small amounts of sodium can be found naturally in almost all foods. But most of the sodium we consume - about 75 per cent - comes from processed foods, including fast foods, prepared meals, processed meats such as hot dogs and lunchmeats, canned soups, bottled dressings, packaged sauces, condiments such as ketchup, and salty snacks like potato chips.

• 11% Found naturally in fresh foods and water
  
  
• 12% Added at the table or in cooking
  
  
• 75% Restaurant, pre-prepared or processed foods

There have been a few actions to reduce sodium levels in foods by the food industry. Some companies in Canada, such as Campbell Soup, have already shown leadership in this effort with their lower-sodium line of soups.

Back to "Halt the salt"

	About Wave Wave is published six times a year by the Winnipeg Health Region in cooperation with the Winnipeg Free Press. It is available at newsstands, hospitals and clinics throughout Winnipeg, as well as McNally Robinson Books. Read the January / February 2010 issue of Wave