A strategy initiated by the federal government to encourage Canadians to reduce the amount of salt in their diets – has resulted in only a small change in the amount of sodium found in packaged foods commonly found on store shelves.

In 2010, Health Canada announced voluntary targets for the food industry – to slash sodium in processed and packaged foods.

Excessive salt consumption can lead to high blood pressure – which increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.

A University of Toronto analysis in 2013 – of more than 16,000 packaged food items – found that only a sixth of the manufacturers had reduced sodium content in their products.