Sodium and potassium levels in Australian processed foods.

We analysed 118 foods available in retail outlets in Sydney for their sodium and potassium content. The concentration of sodium in the types of food examined was (from highest to lowest); salami, ham, luncheon meat, corned beef, liverwurst, breakfast cereals, cracker biscuits, frankfurters, cheese, crispbread, bread, sweet biscuits, canned vegetables, cheesecake and frozen vegetables. There were large variations within some of these groups, especially cheese and breakfast cereals. We have summarized data recently published on 250 other foods. The concentration of potassium was highest in bran-based breakfast cereals and lowest in cheese.