Why Nutri-Grade labels for sodium, fat are needed

Nine in 10 here exceed ideal daily sodium limit, raising risk of stroke and heart attack

- Joyce Teo

Joyce Teo Senior Health Correspondent To make it easier for people to pick out healthier options in the supermarkets or shops, the Ministry of Health will soon make it mandatory for some items to carry NutriGrade labels that offer an at-aglance summary of the products' sodium and saturated fat content.

They include pre-packed salt, sauces and seasonings, instant noodles and cooking oils, and will be graded A to D - with D marking the least healthy choices.

Packaged drinks as well as freshly prepared beverages such as coffee, bubble tea and smoothies sold at larger establishments or chain stores already use Nutri-Grade labels as a gauge of how much sugar and saturated fat they contain.

Here is the lowdown on salt and saturated fat and why the labels may help you to eat more healthily.

Q Why do we need labels for pre-packed salt, sauces and seasonings, instant noodles and cooking oils? A Many Singaporeans consume these food items, which tend to be high in sodium and/or saturated fat. This puts them at risk of serious health issues such as heart attack and stroke.

According to the National Nutrition Survey 2022, nine in 10 Singapore residents exceed the recommended sodium limit of 2,000mg a day and consume about twice the daily limit, an average of 3,620mg a day.

Also, the saturated fat they eat constitutes 36 per cent of total fat, which exceeds the recommendation of no more than 30 per cent.

Q How does sodium harm our health? A High blood pressure is linked to high sodium intake.

"First, when we take too much salt, our bodies will try to retain more water. That is why we feel thirsty. We always blame it on MSG (monosodium glutamate), but it is actually caused by more sodium in our bodies," said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a speech at the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore's gala dinner in April.