Salt consumption in households in Poland

The main source of sodium in the diet is table salt, as well as sodium from processed food. Sodium is also naturally contained in food, but in small amounts. According to WHO the average daily sodium intake for adults worldwide is 4,278 mg (WHO recommends no more than 2,000 mg).

The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of table salt, sodium intake and its dietary sources in Poland between 2015 and 2024.

The assessment of table salt consumption and sodium intake was based on the Household Budget Survey from 2015 to 2024. The salt amount was calculated into sodium based on the data from National Tables of the Composition and Nutritive Value of Foods (2020).

There was observed the decreasing of salt consumption in Poland between 2015 and 2024. In 2024, the mean table salt consumption was 4.9 g/(person∙day), which was 1 g lower than in 2015. The total daily salt intake was 8.3 g/person in 2024, which was 1.6 g lower than in 2015. The mean total sodium intake from all food sources was 3,887 mg/(person∙day) in 2015, however, this value decreased to 3,270 mg in 2024. Compared to the WHO recommendation (no more than 5 g) it was observed that the total salt (table salt and salt from other sources) intake exceeded this amount in each year. The most important source of sodium besides table salt were cereals.

In Poland the WHO limits for total salt and sodium intake are still being exceeded. However, the amount of salt consumed during the analysed 10 years appears to be decreasing. As excessive salt intake has an adverse effect on health, efforts to reduce it must be intensified, particularly through the reformulation of food products and consumer education - specifically regarding the reduction of ultra-processed food consumption.