Processed foods drive deadly salt intake in Bangladesh, experts warn
Health experts warn ultra-processed foods, packaged snacks and hidden sodium are accelerating Bangladesh’s deadly surge in heart disease chronic illness
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Health experts in Bangladesh warned that packaged snacks, processed meat and other ultra-processed foods are driving excessive salt consumption, contributing to thousands of preventable deaths each year as non-communicable diseases continue to rise.
The warning was issued during a public awareness seminar marking Salt Awareness Week 2026, observed globally from May 11 to 17 under the slogan “Let’s reduce salt in our food together.” The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh.
According to the World Health Organization, excessive salt intake contributes to nearly 1.7 million deaths worldwide every year. In Bangladesh alone, high-sodium diets are linked to around 24,000 deaths annually.
Officials and health researchers at the seminar said ultra-processed foods — including packaged snacks, instant foods and processed meat products — have become major sources of hidden sodium, particularly among urban consumers and younger people.
Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shoaib of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority said excessive sodium intake significantly increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other non-communicable illnesses.
He cited findings from the 2023 Global Burden of Disease Study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which estimated that around 11 million deaths worldwide in 2023 were linked to high blood pressure, including 1.67 million directly associated with high-sodium diets.
“Excessive salt intake has become one of the leading preventable dietary risk factors driving the global epidemic of non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Non-communicable diseases now account for nearly 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh, with around 570,000 people dying from such illnesses annually, according to data shared during the seminar. Heart disease alone accounts for roughly one-third of those deaths.
Health experts warned that Bangladesh’s average daily salt intake exceeds nine grams per person, nearly double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of less than five grams per day for adults.
WHO Bangladesh official Dr. Samina Israt said reducing sodium consumption is essential to lowering premature deaths linked to heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
Researchers also urged people to reduce extra table salt and use alternatives such as garlic, onion and ginger to improve flavor without increasing sodium levels.
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