Karnataka launches action plan to reduce salt intake by 30% by 2030

The plan supports progress towards the World Health Organization’s recommendation of less than five grams of salt per person per day. | Photo credit: Detry26

Karnataka on Tuesday (September 22) launched a state action plan aimed at reducing the population’s salt intake by 30% by 2030 and promoting healthier eating habits as part of efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Karnataka State’s multi-sectoral action plan to reduce salt and promote healthy eating habits aims to reduce salt consumption at three levels – at home, in food consumed away from home and in processed and packaged food. It also seeks to promote healthier food choices and strengthen dietary counseling through the health system.

The plan proposes measures to reduce the use of free salt, encourages food manufacturers to reduce salt in processed and packaged foods and promotes awareness of healthier diets. It also envisages strengthening the research and evidence on potassium-enriched low-sodium salt.

The action plan seeks to align Karnataka’s efforts with India’s commitment to the global goal of reducing population salt intake by 30% by 2030, while supporting progress towards the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of less than five grams of salt per person per day.

TAG meeting

Health Minister UT Khader launched the plan at a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting at Vidhana Soudha. Former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and Rajya Sabha member Mansoor Ali Khan were present.

The TAG was established under the chairmanship of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) Vice-Chancellor Bhagavan BC to provide technical guidance and support evidence-based action on salt reduction and healthier dietary practices.

The TAG brings together experts and representatives from the State Health Department, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, NIMHANS, academic and nutrition institutions and public health organizations including the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Resolve to Save Lives and Vision for Social Development.

The minister said the plan will build on existing initiatives, including salt reduction measures under PM POSHAN, dietary counseling through Gruha Arogya and counseling on dietary risk factors under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

State Steering Committee

Mr. Khader called for the formation of a multi-departmental State Steering Committee to ensure coordinated and sustained action on healthier diets. Karnataka has already introduced measures to target foods high in fat, sugar and salt, providing a basis for strengthening a healthier food environment, the government said.

Institute Director Jayadeva Dinesha B. participated in the technical sessions and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address nutritional risk factors.

Jnanesh Kamath, State Joint Director, presented the key priorities, objectives and proposed actions under the State Plan. Raghunandan, State Deputy Director of Non Communicable Diseases (NCD), Amrut Kadam of RGUHS; US Vishal Rao, Member of the Advisory Group of the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Syed Imran Farooq, Executive Director, and Manika Sharma, Senior Advisor, Food Policy, Resolve to Save Lives; and Amit Karnik, director of Vision for Social Development, were among those present.

Published – 22 September 2026 20:30 IST