German Politics Push for Mandatory Salt Limits as Industry Fails Voluntary Targets

Germany's food industry has largely failed to meet voluntary salt reduction targets, prompting growing political demands for legally binding salt limits in food products. Despite the National Reduction Strategy launched in 2018 to encourage lowering salt, sugar, and fat in processed foods, recent data from the Max Rubner Institute show negligible reductions in salt content, with some products like sausages and bread even increasing in salt levels. Critics such as Johannes Wagner from the Green Party and Astrid Goltz of the Consumer Association blame the ineffectiveness of the voluntary approach and call for tougher regulation.

Simone Borchardt, health policy spokesperson for the CDU, has voiced openness to enforcing mandatory salt limits, moving away from previously avoiding 'ban' terminology. While the food industry cites technological challenges and political lobbying as obstacles to stronger salt reductions, the coinciding end of the National Reduction Strategy in 2025 has intensified political pressure for concrete rules. The Greens advocate parliamentary action to tighten product labeling and advertising rules, while the CDU suggests combining public education efforts with legally enforced salt limits, drawing on successful examples like Portugal's salt regulation that improved public health.

The debate highlights a broader governmental push to address public health concerns linked to excessive salt intake, with political consensus narrowing towards mandatory restrictions to achieve meaningful results. As the voluntary approach proves insufficient, a regulatory shift appears imminent to safeguard consumer health.