Food Standards Agency response to 'Is salt really the devil's ingredient?' in The Times

I usually like to keep my blogs short and to the point, but following a critical article about the Agency's salt policy inThe Timesearlier this week, I felt this needed a more detailed response. As Chief Scientist, my job is to ensure that the Agency draws its conclusions and bases its advice on the totality of evidence. So it concerned me when I read this selective view of science in relation to such an important public health issue.

The article in question highlighted some studies that suggest there are no benefits to reducing people’s consumption of salt. It describes findings froma studythat argues public policy to reduce salt intake is unrealistic because our appetite for salt is controlled by our central nervous system.