Children eating snacks, instant noodles or breakfast cereals daily can be unknowingly eating twice the safe amount of salt and at risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Parents are warned to always check food labelling and choose products with a low salt content.

The Dept of Heath in the UK audited over 2,000 chlidren as part of their Diet and Nutrition Survey, reporting that typically a 4 year old child is eating 4.7 grams daily - almost twice the recommended safe amount. Each extra gram of salt consumed raises blood pressure significantly.

Commenting on the findings Jo Butten of the 'Consensus Action on Salt' said parents need to be vigilant about checking for labels for unexpected salt content "..it's a small price to pay to reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke when they are older.."

The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition provides advice to the UK Department of Health, recommends the following daily intake levels for salt as a Maximum;

0 to 6 months = less than 1gram
7 to 12 months = 1gram
1 to 3 years = 2grams
4 to 6 years = 3grams
7 to 10 years = 5grams
11 to 14 years = 6grams
Adults = 6grams