WHO Releases Updated SHAKE Technical Package on Sodium Reduction Policies

“— Dr Luz Maria De Regil, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO The updated SHAKE package places strong emphasis on mandatory, government-led approaches and a structured programme model. It organizes interventions into Surveillance, Harness industry, Adopt standards for labelling and marketing, Knowledge and Environment. The package includes guidance on managing conflicts of interest with the food industry and states that the industry should not set public health policy. It provides measures for food reformulation which sets maximum limits or targets for the sodium content of pre-packaged foods. Front-of-pack labelling offers interpretive information about sodium content alongside mandatory declaration. Food procurement and service policies limit high-sodium foods in public settings, while food marketing restriction policies aim to protect children. The package also covers taxation of unhealthy food, behaviour change communication and mass media campaigns, and lower-sodium salt substitutes to replace regular table salt in appropriate settings. Xi Yin, Coordinator of the Health Promotion and Policy unit and Acting Lead for the Nutrition and Food Safety unit in the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Control of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, said the second edition of SHAKE offers a practical menu of measures that countries can readily apply.”

““The second edition of SHAKE offers a practical menu of measures that countries can readily apply, with clear, step-by-step guidance, and strong opportunities to scale up mandatory approaches to reduce persistently high salt intake across the region.””

“— Xi Yin, Coordinator, Health Promotion and Policy unit, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific Several countries in the Western Pacific Region have drawn on SHAKE to inform their salt reduction efforts, grounded in country-specific data and experience. Xi Yin said more countries are expected to follow their lead. @WHO reported that the updated package responds to the urgent need for stronger government action to protect public health. It brings together the latest WHO guidelines and best buys interventions for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases. WHO urges policy-makers to commit to bold action with national sodium reduction goals and develop comprehensive programmes. These programmes should include policies and interventions that transform food environments so that reducing salt intake becomes achievable.”