Maltese have to cut down on their daily pinches of salt or risk heart disease and high blood pressure.

Together with the rest of the EU, Malta is participating in an awareness campaign to reduce salt intake, which can lead to heart disease and stroke.

In fact, Malta, in collaboration with the World Action on Salt and Health (WASH), is holding a Salt Awareness Week that will run till Wednesday.

Health Promotion Director Charmaine Gauci urged the public to cut down on their salt intake, especially since many foods already have a high ratio of salt.

Most products already contains salt but certain processed foods, such as bacon, ham, cheese, sausages, packed soups, savoury snack foods, sauces and stock cubes, have a higher salt content than others. Fresh meat and fish, fruits and vegetables, pasta, rice and plain cottage cheese are lower in salt content.

Salt, obesity, genetics, and age are among the main risk factors that lead to high blood pressure.

High levels of salt are closely related to Malta's obesity problem, which can be tackled through lower consumption. The World Health Organisation recommends an intake of no more than five grams of salt a day.

A survey carried out by the Health Department found that 47 per cent of Maltese use salt when cooking and another 24 per cent said they add salt to their food.

According to the survey, which dates back to 2002, 17 per cent said they suffer from chronic blood pressure.

More exercise and reducing salt are among two of the most effective means of controlling high blood pressure. In fact, studies show that reducing salt intake decreases high blood pressure in about 33 per cent of people.

High blood pressure is very common in Malta. In fact, the highest number of prescriptions issued by doctors is for high blood pressure.

The Health Department will launch an awareness campaign urging local food producers to reduce the amount of salt in their products.

Posters and leaflets explaining the health hazards associated with salt and advice will be distributed to local councils, pharmacies, health centres and hospitals.

Malta is participating in a European initiative to set up a plan for member states to reduce salt consumption.