In 2005, World Action on Salt, Sugar and Health (WASSH) was set up following the success of Action on Salt in lowering salt intake in the UK, based at the Research Action on Salt and Obesity unit within the Wolfson Institute of Public Health at Queen Mary University of London.

WASSH aim to translate the success of the UK salt reduction strategy to countries worldwide, by providing resources and advice to our network of experts. WASSH will continue to work closely with the World Health Organization, having already stimulated the WHO initiative to take a more coherent strategy towards salt reduction worldwide. There is no doubt that a leading group of worldwide experts will have enormous influence on the media and food industry, and we will support our network in the translation of evidence into action.

In 2020, we expanded to include a focus on sugar and excess calories. Our work now incorporates all aspects of reformulation, helping countries worldwide to access better quality, healthier food. 

Action on Salt China (ASC)

This project is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (16/136/77) using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research.

In 2017, WASH Chair Graham MacGregor and WASH member Feng He – based at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) - were awarded £6.6 million by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to set up a new Global Health Research Unit called Action on Salt China (ASC).  ASC is built on an established collaboration between QMUL and The George Institute (TGI) China, who previously worked together to develop and implement the School-EduSalt education programme.

ASC is a partnership between QMUL, TGI China and several Chinese health authorities, including:

• Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
• Chinese Centre for Health Education
• China National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment

Click here to read more about ASC