The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a seven-days campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of excessive salt consumption and its detrimental effects on community health.
The initiative aimed to encourage community members to embrace healthier eating habits by reducing salt intake and opting for low-salt food products.
It comes in line with the ministry’s strategy to enhance the quality of healthy living and raise community awareness about adopting nutritious eating practices.
Importance of reading food labels
The campaign featured several activities, including workshops on healthy alternatives and the importance of reading food labels before purchasing.
Additionally, the ministry utilized its digital platforms and collaborated with partners like Union Coop, Choithrams, Liwa Gate, and Ajman Markets Cooperation to educate the community about the risks associated with high salt consumption.
The campaign also sought to equip community members with practical skills for preparing low-salt recipes through instructional videos.
Supported by Clickon for electronic and home appliances, these videos demonstrate the use of salt substitutes and promote the preparation of healthy dishes.
Additionally, social media quizzes were organized to engage and incentivize participants to share their healthy meal creations, fostering a culture of wellness within the community.
Alternatives to salt
The initiative also aimed to equip community members with the knowledge and skills to cook their favourite meals using healthier alternatives to salt, inform them about the negative health effects of salt, and guide them in selecting healthier food products by understanding salt content labels.
It emphasized the dangers of hidden salts found in many food products and the health risks of excessive salt intake, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, circulatory issues, and stroke, highlighting the importance of reducing salt in diets to improve overall health.
Healthy eating
Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department at MoHAP, said: “The campaign, launched as part of our ongoing efforts to encourage healthy eating and enhance the quality of life through educational workshops, contests, and materials shared on social media.”
“Our end goal of the campaign was to inspire community members to improve their eating habits significantly, equip them with the knowledge and skills needed for the effective use of salt substitutes, and offer practical advice on reducing salt intake. We will spare no effort to motivate all segments of society to adopt healthy dietary practices,” Al Ali added.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
