HCMC people eating too much salt: CDC

By Le Phuong February 23, 2025 | 02:00 am PT

Salt added to French fries. Illustation photo by Pexels

Residents of HCMC consume an average of 8.5 grams of salt per day, exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit of 5 grams, according to the city's Center for Disease Control (CDC).

High salt intake is among the major nutritional challenges facing the southern metropolis, the CDC said Tuesday.

Urbanization, sedentary lifestyles and limited awareness of healthy eating habits are contributing to an increase in obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Across Vietnam, daily salt consumption averages 8.1 grams, based on the 2021 National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases; a drop from 9.4 grams recorded in 2015.

However, the Ministry of Health noted that fast food consumption, which often involves high salt levels, is on the rise.

A survey of 467 HCMC respondents aged 19-39 showed that 47% frequently eat fast food.