Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the number one cause of death and disability worldwide and are linked to 76% of deaths in Colombia. 10% of these NCD deaths are due to high sodium consumption, which is a primary risk factor for high blood pressure, leading to NCDs like stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease. Globally, at least 1.9 million people die each year globally from high sodium consumption. Progress on NCD prevention cannot be achieved without improving diets and addressing this major risk factor.

We at Resolve to Save Lives and NCD Alliance collaborated with the Colombian government to showcase their leadership in this area with policy initiatives that directly target high sodium consumption. Using guidance from the WHO SHAKE package, the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection developed a strategy using best practice policies that are proven to reduce salt consumption, prevent avoidable disease and deaths, and save healthcare costs.

Why is Colombia’s Comprehensive Package of Best Practice Polices a policy trailblazer?

Mandatory Maximum Sodium Limits for 59 categories of processed food with stricter thresholds planned over time.

• Mandatory limits for several food categories are important to help create a level playing field for food and beverage manufacturers, preventing inconsistencies in the marketplace.
• Progressive, step-wise reductions in sodium limits over several years help industry with compliance and gives time for consumer tastebuds to adjust.
• Colombia’s Regulatory Impact Analysis found that the country would save an estimated 316 billion Colombian pesos (or approximately US$80 million) in healthcare costs after 10 years.

Mandatory Front-of-Package Warning Labels that apply to all ultra-processed foods high in sugar, sodium or unhealthy fats.

• Studies conducted around the world—including in Colombia—show that consumers understand simple, black and white stop-sign style warning labels when placed prominently on the packaging of unhealthy foods, and are less likely to buy items with those labels. Warning labels are the most effective labeling scheme in changing consumer purchasing behavior and reducing purchases of unhealthy foods.

Taxes on Ultra-Processed Foods that have a front-of-package warning label, progressively increasing to 20% by 2025.

• Just like taxing sugary drinks, taxing foods high in sodium and other unhealthy nutrients reduces consumer demand for these products and encourages food manufacturers to reformulate to healthier products.
• Taxes on the same products with warning labels create a financial incentive for the consumer to avoid these products.

Public Food Procurement Policies prohibit the use of products high in sodium, sugar and saturated fat in public settings like schools and community kitchens.

• These policies protect vulnerable populations while being an example for the private sector.

Building on the passage of this successful suite of policies, Colombia’s next step is to ensure the policies are achieving their intended public health goals through monitoring compliance and evaluating impact. Lessons learned from the Colombia experience can help other countries combat NCDs and ensure a healthier future for all.

Colombia shows that comprehensive salt reduction can be done. By enacting a similar suite of harmonized food policies that aim to lower the availability, affordability and promotion of unhealthy food, while promoting health literacy, and increasing access to healthy options, countries everywhere can create healthier, lower-sodium food supplies, saving millions of lives and dollars each year.