BACKGROUND
Potassium-enriched salt is a proven dietary intervention for reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack and premature mortality when used instead of regular table salt. Potassium-enriched salt products are available globally, but the on-pack health claims, product features and instructions for use are diverse.
OBJECTIVE
Systematically summarise on-pack information provided on potassium-enriched salt products.
METHODS
Potassium-enriched salt products in an existing database were supplemented by products identified using search engines and by review of major online shopping websites. On-pack information was coded using a deductive content analysis approach with subsequent quantitative summation of key data relating to health claims, product features and instructions for use.
RESULTS
A total of 117 potential potassium-enriched salt products were identified with 83 included in the final analysis after excluding products containing no sodium (n=15), no potassium (n=5) or that were duplicates (n=14). There were 23 (28%) products with on-pack claims for health benefits and 36 (43%) with health warnings. Twenty-five (30%) of product labels included descriptions of other product features such as taste and potassium content, and 36 (43%) had instructions for use.
CONCLUSIONS
Standardised labelling elements would help consumers make appropriate use of potassium-enriched salt. For all potassium-enriched salt products there should be on-pack information describing health benefits, who the product should be used by, who it should not be used by, how it should be used and the risks of inappropriate use.