Valio aims to reduce salt and sugar content by 2020

Finnish dairy products manufacturer Valio has unveiled its commitment to the new nutrition agreement that focuses on the reduction of salt and sugar content in Valio’s products by 2020.

The company noted that the nutrition agreement is part of Finland’s Agenda 2030 programme, which helps consumers to reduce the salt and sugar intake in order to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Finnish firm is planning to double the production of unflavoured and sugar-free snack products with 20-50% less sugar than before.

Valio also aims to sell seven million kilos of Valio ValSa reduced-salt products annually by 2020 as part of its new commitment.

It also intends to provide details of the amount of salt in all Valio recipes by 2020.

Valio Research and Technology senior vice-president Anu Kaukovirta-Norja said: “Our commitment is linked in particular to two UN goals: ensuring an adequate standard of food and nutrition and improving health and wellbeing.

“Meeting these goals is essential since the world’s population is projected to grow to as much as nine billion by 2030.

“In Valio’s sustainability programme, we have committed to concrete actions that respond to global nutrition challenges.”

According to the company, the sugar consumption per person in Finland is almost twice the recommended daily amount of 50g and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes has increased as a result.

The consumption of salt is also above the recommended limit, which could lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Valio’s research and development team is currently focusing on reducing sugar content in its products and has set a target to launch 168 low-sugar products by 2020.