Sodium is a chemical element found in table salt (sodium chloride) and in most foods. A portion of this sodium is naturally present in food, but most of it is added during consumption, manufacturing and preparation of food, in the form of salt or other sodium-containing additives.

Sodium is an essential nutrient for our body. However, its excessive consumption is associated with the development of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease and other diseases, which are among the leading causes of death in Brazil and around the world.

The World Health Organization recommends a maximum consumption of 2000mg (2g) sodium per person per day, which is equivalent to 5g of salt, but Brazilians currently consume more than double this amount. Therefore, it is necessary to drastically reduce its consumption to reduce illnesses and deaths in the population and, more than that, to improve the health of Brazilians.