Britons eating salt equivalent to 155 packets of crisps a week, study finds

Working-age adults in England consume about 8.4g of salt per day—roughly 155 bags of ready‑salted crisps per week—which is around 40% above the UK guideline, the British Heart Foundation reports.

Working-age adults in England are reported to consume an average of 8.4g of salt per day, according to analysis by the British Heart Foundation. That daily amount is around 40% higher than the UK government guideline of 6g and equates to about 155 bags of ready‑salted, lightly salted or sea salt crisps per week. The charity says most of the salt people eat is hidden in manufactured foods such as bread, cereals, pre-made sauces and ready meals, and it is calling for urgent action to reduce levels. Key facts: - Average intake reported: 8.4g of salt per day for working-age adults in England, equal to roughly 155 bags of ready‑salted crisps per week. - This is about 40% above the UK guideline of 6g per day, while the World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 5g per day. - The British Heart Foundation linked excess salt to higher blood pressure and urged government action; the Department of Health and Social Care said its ten‑year health plan includes measures such as restricting junk food advertising, limiting certain price promotions, and introducing mandatory reporting on healthier food sales. Summary: The findings indicate that many adults in England are consuming salt at levels above national and WHO recommendations, a pattern the British Heart Foundation links to increased risk of high blood pressure and related cardiovascular illness. The charity is pressing for reduced salt in manufactured foods, and the Department of Health and Social Care has outlined prevention-focused measures in its ten‑year health plan; specific policy changes or timelines beyond those statements are undetermined at this time.