State targets WHO salt cap through multi-sectoral diet plan

Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Multisectoral Action Plan for Salt Reduction and Promotion of Healthy Dietary Habits was released on 22 September 2026 at a Technical Advisory Group meeting at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.

U T Khader, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, launched the document with former minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Rajya Sabha MP Mansoor Ali Khan. The meeting aimed to tighten coordinated work on healthier diets, lower excessive salt use and prevent non-communicable diseases across the State.

Unhealthy diets remain an important modifiable NCD risk. High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure and raises the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular disease. Indians are estimated to take about 8–11 grams of salt a day, nearly twice the World Health Organization limit of less than 5 grams per person per day. Cutting population salt use is therefore treated as a core NCD-prevention step.

The Technical Advisory Group sits under Dr. Bhagavan B C, Vice-Chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, to guide evidence-based work on salt reduction and healthier eating. It includes experts and representatives from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, NIMHANS, academic and nutrition institutions, and public health groups including the Institute of Public Health, Resolve to Save Lives and Vision for Social Development.

Minister Khader restated the Government’s pledge to prevent NCDs by improving diets and cutting dietary risks, and asked for a State Steering Committee spanning several departments to keep the effort going. Karnataka already has rules on foods high in fat, sugar and salt, which the Minister said can underpin healthier food environments.

Dr. Dinesha B, Director, Jayadeva Cardiovascular Health Research Institute, joined the technical discussion and stressed evidence-based, coordinated action. Dr. Jnanesh Kamath, Joint Director, Health and Family Welfare, presented the Action Plan’s priorities, objectives and proposed cross-sector steps.

Also present were Dr. Raghunandan, DD-NCD, Department of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. Amrut Kadam, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences; Dr. U S Vishal Rao, Member, Consultative Group to the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Syed Imran Farooq, Executive Director, and Dr. Manika Sharma, Principal Advisor, Food Policy, Resolve to Save Lives; Amit Karnik, Director, Vision for Social Development; and other experts.

The Plan seeks a 30% reduction in population salt intake by 2030, matching India’s global-target pledge, and movement toward the WHO mark of less than 5 grams a day.