JA PreventNCD is proud to be at the forefront of policy innovation to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Europe. One of our Work Package Co-Leads, Dr. Maria João Gregório, was recently featured in a WHO/Europe article that highlights effective strategies to reduce salt intake — a critical step toward preventing cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the WHO European Region.
Salt Awareness Week 2025 serves as a timely reminder that strong public health policies can have a profound impact on population health. According to WHO/Europe, excessive salt intake is responsible for millions of deaths annually. Reducing consumption by 25% could prevent up to 900,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 2030. Yet, in most countries across the Region, daily salt intake remains well above the recommended 5 grams.
JA PreventNCD's Role in Policy Innovation
Dr. Maria João Gregório co-leads the work package on regulation and taxation (WP5) in JA PreventNCD, where the focus is on helping EU countries adopt policies that reshape food environments and reduce exposure to major dietary risk factors like salt and sugar. These efforts include:
- Developing front-of-pack labelling frameworks to inform healthier choices
- Establishing an EU-wide database of nutritional data to support monitoring and reformulation
- Promoting fiscal tools, such as sugar taxes, which have gained strong public support when tied to health improvements
Portugal, where Maria João directs the National Programme for Healthy Eating Promotion, is an example of how clear policy design and consistent public engagement can lead to real progress. From mandatory salt targets in bread to voluntary reformulation agreements in soups, the country has taken a phased approach that other Member States can learn from.
Key Lessons for Policymakers
Drawing from Portugal’s journey and her leadership in JA PreventNCD, Maria João highlights three crucial strategies for countries looking to implement or strengthen their salt reduction efforts:
- Better Data Collection: Governments need reliable food composition data and regular consumption surveillance to know where to intervene. Without this, effective evaluation is not possible.
- Peer Learning and Policy Exchange: Shared barriers—such as industry resistance and political challenges—require shared solutions. JA PreventNCD supports cross-country collaboration to overcome these obstacles together.
- Leverage Public Procurement: Schools, hospitals, and other public institutions can lead by example. Setting salt standards in public procurement contracts ensures better nutrition at scale.
Policy Success Requires Public Support
Experience shows that when policies are clearly linked to public health outcomes, they receive broader backing. In Portugal, for instance, 80% of the public supports the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, largely because revenues are reinvested into the health system and the policy's goals are well communicated.
As JA PreventNCD continues to work with national authorities across Europe, it is clear that tackling NCDs must begin with bold, measurable action. Reducing salt intake is not only feasible—it’s essential.
“Use your data. Know your food landscape. Focus on the biggest sources of salt in the diet. Start with public food procurement. And when science is on your side, don’t be afraid to stand firm against difficulties,” says Maria João
Read the full WHO article: From policy to plate: how countries can reduce salt intake and protect people’s health