Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Thursday, 14 May 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 May 1998. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what research he is (a) commissioning and (b) evaluating on the link between high blood pressure and salt levels in food.

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he is (a) commissioning and (b) evaluating on the link between high blood pressure and salt levels in food. [42621] Ms Jowell: I have been asked to reply. At the request of the Department, the Faculty of Public Health Medicine, in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation, hosted a seminar to bring together a wide range of scientific opinion from academia and industry to review the link between high blood pressure and salt consumption, and to consider whether a reduction in salt consumption for the general population is advisable. A report is expected later this year. The Department has not commissioned research on the links between high blood pressure and salt levels in food.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42621; 312 c489W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Diets Diseases Medicine Research Salt Hypertension Faculty of Public Health British Heart Foundation