Sodium reduction in South Korean restaurants: A Daegu-based intervention project

Background and Objectives: Koreans tend to have high sodium intake in restaurants. This study assessed the effect of the sodium reduction project in restaurants in Daegu Metropolitan City. Methods and Study Design: A total of 156 sodium reduction menu items offered by 90 restaurants were categorized into 11 food groups to compare sodium content and salinity before and after the project. In total, 162 owners and staff members of the restaurants, as well as 727 of their customers, were surveyed on their perceptions of and satisfaction with the sodium reduction project. Results: Average salinity of the menu items was significantly reduced from 0.70% prior to the project to 0.49% after the project (p<0.001), and average sodium content was also significantly reduced from 1,470 mg to 980 mg (p<0.001). The food groups with the highest sodium reduction rate were soups (46.0%) and grilled dishes (39.5%), with an average sodium reduction rate of 36.1%. The restaurant owners' average satisfaction score with the project was 39.6 points (out of 50). Customers responded that the sodium reduction menus were moderate (62.4%) and bland (27.9%), and the taste was good (48.9%) and excellent (25.0%). Approximately 52.0% and 18.6% of customers were satisfied and very satisfied, respectively, with the sodium reduction menu. Conclusions: Overall, the sodium reduction project in restaurants in Daegu had a positive effect because it successfully reduced the sodium content of food while also boosting the satisfaction of the restaurant owners and staff and their customers with the project.