New formulation for producing salmon pâté with reduced sodium content

Reducing consumption of salt, specifically sodium, is one of the most effective ways to improve public health. A novel formulation for producing salmon pâté with reduced sodium content was investigated. Salmon pâtés with three different sodium concentrations were evaluated using microbiological, sensory and chemical analyses. Saltwell®, a natural salt containing a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, was used for partial substitution of sodium chloride (table salt) alone in the formulation. Replacing 80% of the sodium chloride with Saltwell®, resulted in a 22% reduction in sodium, without affecting microbial activity. A trained sensory panel observed minor differences in three of the twelve sensory attributes that were evaluated (coherent texture, saltiness, canned fish flavor). However, these differences were only weakly significant. Saltwell is a viable alternative to sodium chloride to produce seafood products with reduced sodium content without compromising quality and safety. •Sodium chloride was substituted with Saltwell® to produce salmon pâtés with reduced sodium content.•Microbiological and nutritional qualities of salmon pâtés were maintained while the sodium content was reduced by 22%.•Sensory profiles of the reduced sodium salmon pâtés and the original common salt salmon pâtés were very similar.•Saltwell® is an alternative to sodium chloride in the formulation of salmon pâtés and can be used to reduce sodium content.