For a better life

Ajinomoto Foods Europe Solutions and Ingredients is a company with many values. Among these values, health and a healthy environment are of utmost importance. That is why it works daily on solutions to create healthy food.

The overconsumption of salt are major health concerns that manufacturers are trying to address. Indeed, here is an example of commitment from the industry. “On the occasion of the International Agricultural Show on 3 March 2022, Bruno FERREIRA, Director General of Food, and Grégory EMERY, Deputy Director General of Health, signed a voluntary collective agreement with all the players in the bakery industry, as part of the National Food and Nutrition Programme 2019-2023 (PNAN). The objective: to reduce salt levels in bread by around 10% in less than 4 years.”

It is thanks to actions like this, encouraged by the government, that manufacturers are looking for solutions for healthy food and Ajinomoto foods Europe Solutions and Ingredients is listening to these customers to help them in their development.

According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), high salt consumption has an impact on blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. In adults, a salt intake of less than 5 grams per day would reduce the risk of these diseases as well as blood pressure.

Member States of the WHO have agreed to a global target of a 30% reduction in salt intake by 2025. In countries where most salt consumed is from processed foods, programs to engage the food industry to reduce salt in products are being developed. As an exemple, to contribute to this, the bakery sector in France is committed to reducing the amount of salt in bread. Bread accounts for around 20% of French people’s daily salt intake.

The bakery sector wishes to play an important role in the search for solutions for healthy food.

In addition to reducing salt, the industry is also focused on reducing sugar consumption. Indeed, a high sugar consumption can increase the risk of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the WHO has submitted 3 recommendations:

1. The WHO recommends a reduced intake of free sugars throughout life. 

2. In adults and children, WHO recommends reducing free sugar intake to less than 10% of total energy intake.

3. WHO proposes to go further and reduce the intake of free sugars to less than 5% of total energy intake.”

The WHO describes free sugars, including monosaccharides and disaccharides, as sugars added to foods by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.

Following the WHO recommendations, it is understandable that manufacturers are innovating with new solutions for healthy food.