Irish people are still eating too much salt.

Figures from the Food Safety Authority shows the average daily salt intake for men is just over 11 grams per day and 8.5 for women.

The World Health Organisation recommends we get just 5 grams of salt each day.

The authority warns that if our intake continues we are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

However, the FSAI's annual salt monitoring programme has found a significant drop in the salt levels in processed foods in the shops.

Some of the biggest reductions were in cornflakes (-63%), "specialty breads" (-42%), spreadable fats which were reduced by 29%, and processed meats, with the salt content in an average pack of rashers dropping by 27%.

The FSAI today issued a list of the salt reductions in five key food categories.

Processed Meats:
Rashers -27%
Cooked ham -15%
Sausage products -11%

Breads:
White bread -17%
Wholemeal bread -25%
Wholegrain bread -29%
Specialty products -42%

Breakfast Cereals:
Cornflake based -63%
Rice based -48%
Bran based -39%
Multigrain cereal -38%

Spreadable Fats:
Blended spread (>62%, but <80% fat) -29%
All blends and blended spreads -27%