Just when you thought every conceivable practical item has been invented, someone finds a new use for an everyday item, and will probably make millions of dollars.

A new spin on the old spoon thanks to the “electric salt spoon,” which aims to help people reduce their sodium intake. As we all know, high sodium diets can lead to several health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. According to recent statistics from Hypertension Canada, 1 in 5 Canadians have high blood pressure and have been instructed to cut back on high sodium foods. The inventors of the electric salt spoon claim their innovation helps decrease salt intake by sprinkling a little bit of salt on your tongue to give you the sensation that the food is saltier than you think, when, in fact, it’s not. In addition, there are various salt dispensing levels for your preference.

The spoon is powered by a small lithium battery in the handle and is activated by a button that users push to dispense the salt. Currently, the spoon is only on sale in Japan for $172.00 Canadian and only 200 of them have been released to the public. Saskatchewanians will have to wait a little longer for the spoon to reach our stores because the maker of the device isn’t planning on going worldwide with the product for a least another five years.

Now if only they could create a spoon that makes vegetables taste like fudge and donuts!