The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has established the Sodium Expert Working Group to support the review and update of the sodium Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs).

This work forms part of an ongoing review of priority NRVs, overseen by the Steering Group comprising representatives from NHMRC, the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

Members of the Sodium Expert Working Group were selected to ensure appropriate expertise in the specific nutrient, general nutrition and dietetics, nutrient deficiency and toxicity, statistics and modelling, systematic reviews, monitoring nutritional status and setting and implementing NRVs.

For further information see Committees advising on the review of Nutrient Reference Values.

Terms of reference

NHMRC has established the Sodium Expert Working Group to support the review and update of the sodium Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs). This work forms part of an ongoing review of priority NRVs, overseen by a Steering Group comprising representatives from NHMRC, the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care, and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.

The Sodium Expert Working Group will:

  1. Advise on the scope of the review of sodium NRVs, with consideration given to:
    • the currency, accuracy and relevance of the existing sodium NRVs
    • relevant international NRVs developed since the existing NRVs
    • members' expertise and knowledge of current evidence, and
    • any other information deemed relevant by NHMRC.
  2. Advise on the application of the Methodological framework for the Review of Nutrient Reference Values1 to the review.
  3. Advise on the evaluation of evidence to inform revisions to the sodium NRVs, ensuring compliance with the 2016 NHMRC Standards for Guidelines and International best- practice.
  4. Advising on updates to the sodium NRV recommendations, including:
    • developing proposed sodium NRV recommendations
    • advising on the implications of revised recommendations
    • advising on key stakeholders to be included in consultation activities
    • addressing feedback received during consultation and expert review.

The Sodium Expert Working Group will report to the Steering Group.

Appointments to the Sodium Expert Working Group will conclude on 31 December 2026.

1 Australian Government Department of Health. Methodological Framework for the Review of Nutrient Reference Values. Canberra. Commonwealth of Australia; 2020, or as varied by the Steering Group to reflect emerging best-practice.

Members

Member information and disclosure of interests (declarations)

NHMRC asks all committee members to document their interests for consideration by a CEO delegate prior to being appointed to the committee. Members are asked to update their interests during the term of their appointment or as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the interest or that there has been a change in the nature or extent of the interest. Members are asked to consider perceived interests as well as actual interests. A summary of the interests declared by each member is provided within the declarations (below).

Chair,
Emeritus Professor
Linda
Tapsell

(Commenced July 2018 to present)  

Emeritus Professor with the School of Medicine at University of Wollongong

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Setting NRVs public health and research and chronic disease in relation to foods, nutrients and dietary patterns.
Declaration
  • Recipient of research grants from NHMRC, ARC, Horticulture Australia, Grains Research Development Corporation, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, California Walnut Commission and International Tree Nut Council, National Centre of Excellence in Functional Food, 2010–2018 and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, 2010–2018
  • Travel and accommodation support for provision of plenary and guest lectures at numerous scientific and professional conferences and meetings
  • Provision of peer review of scientific projects (workshops, proposals and progress reports) and advice on directions for future nutrition research including:
    • NHMRC grants review panels
    • ERA panel
    • Australia India Strategic Research Fund
    • PMSEIC,
    • Science Advisory Committees of California Walnut Commission
    • McCormick’s Science Institute (USA)
  • Department of Health Nutrient Reference Values Advisory Committee member, 2013–2017
  • Professional Fellow and member of various food and nutrition associations and societies  
  • Previous Editor in Chief, Nutrition and Dietetics, journal of Dietitians Australia
  • Delivery and contribution to various seminar and symposium presentations, webinars and media events
  • Author of various publications and textbooks on food and nutrition.

Professor
Rachael
McLean

(Commenced July 2018 to present)  

Professor with the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at University of Otago

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Setting NRVs
  • Sodium
  • Nutrient deficiency/ toxicity and monitoring nutritional status in population groups.
Declaration
  • Recipient of research grants: Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand, 2019–present and Heart Foundation of New Zealand, 2024
  • Invited speaker and country expert: Monitoring population salt intake as part of WHO STEPS WHO Collaborating Centre on Population Salt Reduction, The George Institute for Global Health Contributed to Heart Foundation of New Zealand position statement on dietary sodium 2022
  • Involved in the development of the review of the Australian and New Zealand Nutrient Reference Values for Sodium, 2013– 2016
  • Member of the Heart Foundation Scientific Advisory Group, which reviews research grant applications
  • Author of various scientific publications relating to dietary sodium intake.

Emeritus Professor
Caryl
Nowson

(Commenced July 2018 to present)

Emeritus Professor with the Office of the Executive Dean Health at Deakin University

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Setting NRVs
  • Sodium and ageing.
Declaration
  • Consultant Expert Witness relating to Vitamin D status of Victorians with Melbourne City Council, 2020–2021
  • Consultant for Victorian Health Promotion Foundation 2015: Victorian consumer survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to salt intake. Externally funded consultancy related to sodium/salt.
  • Consultant for Dairy Health and Nutrition Consortium, 2014 2015
  • Research consultancy to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), 2011–2017
  • Recipient of various research grants: NHMRC, 2010–2015 and George Institute for Global Health and Food Policy
  • Member Australian Division World Action on Salt and Health (AWASH) and member World Action of Salt and Health
  • Lead Editor of Special Edition Nutrients: Dietary Salt and Health 2014–2015
  • Author of various publications relating to sodium.

Professor
Yasmine
Probst

(Commenced July 2018 to present)

Senior Research Fellow with the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences at University of Wollongong 

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Dietary assessment methodology for children
  • Modelling and end user needs.
Declaration
  • Senior Research Fellow for Multiple Sclerosis Australia, 2022–2025
  • Consultant for Industry Groups including California Walnut Commission, Avocado Board of California, Australian Eggs, The Healthy Grain, South Pacific Community, Nuts for Life and Horticulture Australia  
  • Recipient of NHMRC Development Grant, Health Professional and TRIP fellowships
  • Expert reviewer for NHMRC Dietary Guidelines update, 2012
  • Panel Member for NHMRC Grant Review Panels – Health Service Grant, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2021 rounds
  • Research Council Member, Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, 2018–present
  • Inaugural member of Egg Advisory Committee
  • Travel and accommodation support to attend and national and international conference organised by the California Walnut Commission, Nuts for Life and Multiple Sclerosis Australia
  • Honoraria for healthy eating community presentations received from Multiple Sclerosis Limited
  • Editor and reviewer for various nutrition and food science journals
  • Author of various publications, conference, abstracts and medica regarding sodium.

Dr
Carley
Grimes

(Commenced July 2018 to present)

Senior Lecturer with the School of Exercise and Nutrition Science and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) at Deakin University

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Sodium
  • Child nutrition and monitoring nutritional status in population groups.
Declaration
  • Member of VicHealth Victorian Action on Salt Reduction Task-force, 2014–2019
  • Member of the World Action on Salt and Health (WASH), 2011–present
  • Rapporteur for Salt Working Group within the Australian Health Policy Collaboration, 2015–2019
  • Recipient of various NHMRC research grants, 2015–2022
  • Colleague of the group within IPAN that were procured by NHMRC to conduct the sodium evidence review
  • Member of Board of Editors for Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2015–present
  • Reviewer of publications for BMJ Open, Pediatrics, Canadian Medical Journal, British Journal of Nutrition, Appetite, BMC Public Health, Journal of Nutrition; Co-editor of special edition in journal Nutrients: Dietary salt and health
  • Author of various publications, reports, conference abstracts and media regarding sodium.

Professor
Vicki
Flood

(Member 2018 to 2022)

Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney

Relevant experience

  • Nutrition
  • Setting NRVs and sodium.