The amount of salt consumed by the average British person has fallen over the last few years, new research shows.
According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), average daily salt consumption has fallen from 9.5g to 8.6g since 2000.
Experts have welcomed the fall but pointed out there is still a long way to go before the government's target of 6g a day is met.
FSA chief executive Tim Smith commented: "We recognise that the great steps taken by many manufacturers and retailers have contributed to this success. But while the results of the urinary analysis are positive, we are aware there is still plenty to do."
The findings have been described by the campaign group Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) as "the most important news that we have heard about health and eating for a long time".
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine and Cash chairman, noted that the figures represent a ten per cent reduction in the national salt intake.
"This represents a massive 19,700 tonnes of salt per year that has been removed from the UK diet," he revealed.
The amount of salt consumed by the average British person has fallen over the last few years, new research shows.
