Woolworths bread now salt reduced

Woolworths store-baked soft white bread now contains 25% less salt and the company has also reduced salt in its wholemeal, grain and sourdough breads.

The federal government’s Food and Health Dialogue identified bread as a health offender as it can often contain high levels of sodium. As a result, Woolworths has been actively taking steps to reduce salt levels in this most basic of supermarket staples and a recent study by the Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health (GIGH) noted Woolworths as a significant improver in the salt-reduction area, well ahead of other supermarket and bakery chains.

With more than 80,000 tonnes of store-baked bread rolls and loaves sold each year, the salt reduction amounts to some 268 tonnes - the equivalent of approximately 12 semitrailers full of salt.

Woolworths General Manager, Fresh Food, Pat McEntee said: “Salt is a silent and secret presence in many food items but in recent years has been identified as a key contributor to heart disease. However, with increased awareness and education we can re-evaluate recipes and look at ways to remove any unnecessary salt content.”