A novel approach encouraging food manufacturers to reduce sodium levels was recently launched in Victoria, Australia.
Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), in partnership with VicHealth, is awarding up to $25,000 grant money to assist SMEs and start-ups with reformulation costs. Grant money will be matched dollar to- dollar with each company’s own contribution, to aid both reformulation of existing products and the introduction of ‘reduced salt’ ranges.
It will be interesting to see how successful this initiative is. Relieving some of the financial burden from smaller suppliers should give them greater incentive to be proactive in their approach to sodium reduction. It may even be an opportunity to take market share from bigger players that are a step behind.
Time will tell, but if successful we could see more Australian states, or even other countries, follow suit.
