FAO, WHO adopt scale for potassium in food products
A joint initiative between the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a food standardize codec which will determine the amount of potassium needed in food products. Charged with protecting consumer health, “Codex Alimentarius” will look to highlight the potassium level in foods enough to prevent non-transmitted diseases.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a reference value for potassium, and the intake level to achieve 3,500 mg of potassium per day for adults-to be included in its Guideline on Nutrition Labelling, a statement by FAO said.
The statement added non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases-are the biggest cause of illness and premature death worldwide. The statement said “a low intake of potassium is associated with a number of NCDs.” The statement said that increasing consumption of potassium may reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke and have beneficial effects on bone-mineral density. The statement noted that “it can also reduce the negative effects of high sodium intake.”
The statement added this follows the adoption of reference values on sodium and saturated fats, and is part of the Codex’s efforts to take into consideration the increasing public health problems of obesity and NCDs. The United Nations food standards body Codex Alimentarius Commission is meeting in Geneva from 6-11 July 2015 to examine food safety and quality standards. Established in 1963, the joint commission is charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, the Codex Alimentarius is a joint initiative of the FAO and WHO. — KUNA
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a reference value for potassium, and the intake level to achieve 3,500 mg of potassium per day for adults-to be included in its Guideline on Nutrition Labelling, a statement by FAO said.
The statement added non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases-are the biggest cause of illness and premature death worldwide. The statement said “a low intake of potassium is associated with a number of NCDs.” The statement said that increasing consumption of potassium may reduce blood pressure, decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke and have beneficial effects on bone-mineral density. The statement noted that “it can also reduce the negative effects of high sodium intake.”
The statement added this follows the adoption of reference values on sodium and saturated fats, and is part of the Codex’s efforts to take into consideration the increasing public health problems of obesity and NCDs. The United Nations food standards body Codex Alimentarius Commission is meeting in Geneva from 6-11 July 2015 to examine food safety and quality standards. Established in 1963, the joint commission is charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, the Codex Alimentarius is a joint initiative of the FAO and WHO. — KUNA
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