The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Cook with Love: Shake the Salt Habit” a campaign aimed at reducing the consumption of sodium within the home.

The campaign seeks to empower individuals to shake the salt habit by choosing to purchase, prepare and consume delicious, healthy low-sodium meals at home.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of death and disability in the Caribbean region. High sodium consumption is one of the greatest contributors to high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other NCDs.

Sodium reduction is one of the most cost-effective methods of lowering the risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Salt is the main source of sodium in the diet and globally most people consume two times the maximum recommended amount. The Caribbean is known for its high dietary consumption of fats, salts, and sugars predominantly obtained from processed and ultra-processed foods.

Cook with Love will focus on encouraging the preparation of low-sodium meals in the home; reading nutrition labels on packaged foods and choosing those that are lower in sodium, and replacing high sodium foods with healthier options.

The campaign is slated to run for three months and will include activities such as supermarket tours, webinars, and food demonstrations.