The recommended daily salt intake by the WHO is 6 g, but averagely a Beijinger eats 13.4 g of salt every day. The figure in the suburbs is even 16.5 g. Thus local health administration and the Ministry of Health of China are planning to distribute 5 million free salt volume spoons and leaflets on the harm of eating too much salt to Beijingers to help them form a healthier diet.

The incidence of hypertension has been high in Beijing for a long time, and the overdose of salt should be blamed for it.

Experts suggest that hypertension patients should limit the daily salt intake to 1.5 g -3 g, 5 g at most. In fact, limited salt intake will cure most slight or early hypertension patients.

It can be estimated that the small spoons will contribute a great deal to building a more harmonious Beijing.

(Chinanews.cn April 30, 2007)