As part of the just-launched National Health Campaign, a series of presentations on salt reduction in food and alternative methods of seasoning, will be delivered in churches across Anguilla, as well as other organisations, to reach as many persons as possible.
The presenter will be the Non-Communicable Diseases Programme Officer in the Ministry of Health, Ms. Fedalia Richardson. She has responsibility for prevention programmes geared at reducing the risks and onset of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.
“Based on the results of the STEPS Survey, it was found that there could be some improvement in the amount of salt that is being consumed by Anguillians on a daily basis,” she said. “We felt that persons were not aware of the daily recommendations [of the amount of salt they should use]. As a result, we came up with the salt reduction campaign where I will be attending all food handlers’ sessions with environmental personnel, as well as faith-based organisations – that is all churches.
“I have already been to the Christian Fellowship Church and will be at the Anglican Church on the 24th of May. I am also planning on going to the Church of God (Holiness), but a date is to be decided on when I can speak to its members on the importance of reducing the salt they consume. I will also be going to the Seventh-day Adventists and other churches later on.
“Persons may also contact me to talk with them on a day in the week when they have some form of church or association meetings.”
Asked what alternatives to salt she would recommend, she replied: “Natural spices. That is actually what the presentations will end with: basil, garlic and other natural products – things they can use in their cooking that would reduce their salt intake.”
Ms Richardson added: “A lot of people like salt because of its taste, but we want to encourage them to use other spices that will give their food flavour without using so much salt.”
