A national sodium reduction strategy was released in Canada on Thursday. The strategy is aimed at decreasing the levels of salt consumed by the Canadians.

Sources have revealed that people in Canada are eating twice the required amount of salt. Consequently, they are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Also, many other ailments are associated with the higher intake of salt.

The strategy has been developed by the physicians and representatives of the food industry.

It has provided a direction for cutting down the intake of sodium from 3,400 mg to 2,300 mg by the year 2016. The measure would be instrumental in decreasing the number of heart related deaths by 11,000 to 15,000.

The strategy also focuses on decrease of sodium levels in the restaurants and other food processing units.

They will make it possible through setting public goals and independent monitoring. They would also try annual public reporting.

It would also require improving the nutrition labeling of food products. This will help people to make their choices.

Vice-Chairperson of the panel, Dr. Mary L’Abbé revealed that this strategy would be beneficial in decreasing mortality due to heart attacks.