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National Salt Awareness Week

An awareness observance in early March promoting reduced dietary salt intake to lower blood pressure and reduce stroke and heart disease risk.

Monday
10–16
May 2027
Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team
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YEARLY DATEWeek containing May 15 (Monday-start)
OBSERVED INUnited Kingdom
CATEGORYAwareness
SUBCATEGORYPublic Health
ORIGIN

Institutional Initiative

FOUNDING ENTITY
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH)
FIRST OBSERVED
2001
HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

Consensus Action on Salt and Health launched National Salt Awareness Week in 2001 to raise awareness of high-salt diet risks and encourage reduced salt intake.

Institutional Recordvia pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
INTRO

Introduction

Get ready to shake up your salt intake for National Salt Awareness Week, which takes place from March 8-14! This week-long event was established by the World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) in 2003 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of consuming too much salt. Did you know that high salt intake can lead to health issues such as hypertension, heart disease, and stroke? But don't worry, this week is all about learning how to reduce our salt intake without sacrificing flavor. So let's get cooking and discover some delicious low-salt alternatives!

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TIMELINE

National Salt Awareness Week Timeline

Establishment of WASH

World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) is established to coordinate global efforts to reduce salt consumption.

First National Salt Awareness Week

WASH launches the first National Salt Awareness Week to raise awareness on the harmful effects of consuming too much salt.

WASH Membership Expansion

WASH expands its membership to 100 countries worldwide, further increasing awareness about salt and health.

Global Salt Reduction Targets

The World Health Organization sets global targets for salt reduction, aiming for a 30% relative reduction in global population salt intake by 2025.

Release of the SaltSwitch App

WASH releases the SaltSwitch App to help consumers identify lower salt options in groceries.

10 Million Lives Campaign

WASH launches the 10 Million Lives campaign aiming to save 10 million lives by achieving global salt reduction targets.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Salt Awareness Week

EDITOR'S PICK

Create a low-sodium menu

Challenge yourself to create a week's worth of meals that are low in sodium but still flavorful. You can use herbs, spices, and other seasonings to add flavor without relying on salt.

ATTEND

Attend a cooking workshop

Look for a cooking workshop or class focused on creating delicious meals without using excessive salt. You'll learn new techniques and recipes that you can incorporate into your own cooking.

HOST

Host a low-sodium potluck

Get your friends and family involved in National Salt Awareness Week by hosting a potluck where everyone brings a dish that is low in sodium. This is a great way to share ideas and try new, healthier recipes together.

GO

Go on a salt-free grocery shopping trip

Challenge yourself to buy groceries for the week without purchasing any items that are high in sodium. This will force you to read labels and make healthier choices for your meals.

SPREAD

Spread awareness on social media

Use your social media platforms to share information and tips about reducing salt intake during National Salt Awareness Week. You never know who you might inspire to make positive changes in their diet.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Salt Awareness Week is Important

To motivate people to make positive changes for their health

By providing information and resources, National Salt Awareness Week gives individuals the tools they need to make healthier choices in their daily lives. This can include using less salt in cooking, reading labels on packaged food, and choosing lower sodium options when dining out. These small changes can have a big impact on overall health and well-being.

To raise awareness about the dangers of excessive salt consumption

National Salt Awareness Week is important because it aims to educate people about the health risks associated with consuming too much salt. High levels of salt intake can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and other serious health issues. By raising awareness, we can encourage people to make healthier choices and reduce their risk of these conditions.

To promote a balanced diet

National Salt Awareness Week highlights the importance of having a balanced diet that includes moderate amounts of salt. Many processed foods are high in sodium, so this week encourages people to cook more meals at home using fresh ingredients and limit their intake of pre-packaged foods.

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