In 2008, the European Union's High Level Group on Diet, Physical Activity and Health launched the EU Framework for National Salt Initiatives, that has set a common minimum European benchmark of 16% salt reduction from baseline 2008 levels over the course of four years across all food products. 

Furthermore, In order to reduce the salt intake effectively among the general population, the salt reduction initiatives have concentrated on a limited and specific number of food categories, among which 12 categories of food are identified, and countries are bound to select at least 5 to target through their national nutrition action plans and strategies. The 12 prior categories of foods where salt reduction initiaitves are under surveilance includes, bread, meat products, cheese, ready meals, soup, breakfast cereals, fish products, savory snacks, catering meals, restaurant meals, sauces codiments and spices and potato products.

Across most of the countries within the European region, the changes in income and prices have been proved to be potentially disruptive for balanced diet.

Countries such as U.K. has a growing consumers interest in ready to eat food along with a growing demand of food with higher safety standards. Post undertaking of salt reduction initiatives, the country successfully reduced the average salt intake of the population and increased consumers awareness.

Apart from this, initiatives that sets targets and works with all sectors of the UK food industry in redesigning products having reduced salts, encouraging the use of improved nutritional labelling and working with non-governmental organisations and local authorities to raise awareness of salt as a health issue, has proved beneficial for the country.