Eighty two percent of deaths from stroke, heart attack and heart failure in Fiji are attributed to NCDs.
The Health Ministry says people do not realize they are consuming too much salt.
With the theme “Salt is the Hidden Killer”, government has launched a campaign to help nip the problem in the bud.
Any diet or food that we eat that is high in sodium or salt is the greatest risk factor for cardiovascular diseases induced deaths in the country.
One just has to visit the hospitals around the country to see for themselves.
“Did you know that 8 out of 10 people in Fiji are leaving with non communicable diseases? They can be prevented by making a change today,” said Alumeci Tuisawau.
The Health Ministry says people now tend to rely more on processed foods rather than fruits and vegetables that have less salt and and aids towards a healthier life.
“Most of the salt we conceive is already hidden in processed foods and meals. And most of us as soon as you come in you go to the cart. So those are added into our food before we even buy it so we are putting our health at risk.”
Around 75 percent of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, bread and biscuits have the highest contributing factors in the salt.
“The bread and the biscuit, there’s a lot of salt in there. In addition other major sources of salt are processed meat products such as sausages, canned meat and fish. You put away moca, rourou and go for sausages which is high in salt.”