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11/03/2013
'Hidden' Salt Levels High In UK Restaurants
Surprisingly high levels of salt are hidden in food served up in restaurants across the UK, according to a report by a campaign and watchdog group.
Consensus Action of Salt and Health (CASH) has revealed its findings as part of National Salt Awareness Week.
The group says out of nearly 700 main meals surveyed, over 50% were HIGH in salt, while 13 meals surveyed had more than 6g of salt per meal; the maximum recommendation for a whole day.
The survey looked at 664 main meals from 29 popular high street and celebrity restaurants, fast food and cafes chains.
It found 347 meals had more than 2.4g of salt per portion, meaning they would be labelled in a supermarket with a red traffic light.
Celebrity chef restaurants and high street chain restaurants were higher than cafes and fast food chains, CASH said, with an average of 3.1g salt per meal.
The group has revealed what it claims are the five top saltiest main meals:
1. JD Wetherspoons’ [10oz gammon with eggs, chips, peas, tomato & flat mushroom] = 8.9g salt per portion
2. Jamie’s Italian [game meatball] = 8.1g salt per 570g portion
3. Carluccio’s [spaghetti alle vongole in bianco] = 8.0g
4. Gordon Ramsay’s The Savoy Grill’s [steamed mussels cider cream sauce and fries] = 7.3g salt per 510g portion
5. Wagamama’s Yaki Udon = 7.0g salt per 620g portion
CASH also published a list of fast food outlets with the greatest number of dishes containing over 2.4g of salt per portion:
1. Pizza Hut = 93%
2. Domino’s Pizza = 79%
3. Burger King = 64%
4. KFC = 60%
5. McDonald’s = 26%
6. Subway = 18%
"We have lifted the lid on chef’s cooking and found they are still hooked on the white stuff." says Campaign Director and Nutritionist for CASH, Katharine Jenner.
"We are all eating too much salt; if you want to cut down at home you can do; by reading the labels, using less salt in cooking and using less processed food. However it’s not so easy when you are grabbing lunch on the go or out for a nice evening meal. As most of the salt we eat is hidden in our food, for National Salt Awareness Week, CASH, with the support of 11 national health charities, we are asking the public to stand up to chefs and ask for ‘less salt please!'"
Consensus Action of Salt and Health (CASH) has revealed its findings as part of National Salt Awareness Week.
The group says out of nearly 700 main meals surveyed, over 50% were HIGH in salt, while 13 meals surveyed had more than 6g of salt per meal; the maximum recommendation for a whole day.
The survey looked at 664 main meals from 29 popular high street and celebrity restaurants, fast food and cafes chains.
It found 347 meals had more than 2.4g of salt per portion, meaning they would be labelled in a supermarket with a red traffic light.
Celebrity chef restaurants and high street chain restaurants were higher than cafes and fast food chains, CASH said, with an average of 3.1g salt per meal.
The group has revealed what it claims are the five top saltiest main meals:
1. JD Wetherspoons’ [10oz gammon with eggs, chips, peas, tomato & flat mushroom] = 8.9g salt per portion
2. Jamie’s Italian [game meatball] = 8.1g salt per 570g portion
3. Carluccio’s [spaghetti alle vongole in bianco] = 8.0g
4. Gordon Ramsay’s The Savoy Grill’s [steamed mussels cider cream sauce and fries] = 7.3g salt per 510g portion
5. Wagamama’s Yaki Udon = 7.0g salt per 620g portion
CASH also published a list of fast food outlets with the greatest number of dishes containing over 2.4g of salt per portion:
1. Pizza Hut = 93%
2. Domino’s Pizza = 79%
3. Burger King = 64%
4. KFC = 60%
5. McDonald’s = 26%
6. Subway = 18%
"We have lifted the lid on chef’s cooking and found they are still hooked on the white stuff." says Campaign Director and Nutritionist for CASH, Katharine Jenner.
"We are all eating too much salt; if you want to cut down at home you can do; by reading the labels, using less salt in cooking and using less processed food. However it’s not so easy when you are grabbing lunch on the go or out for a nice evening meal. As most of the salt we eat is hidden in our food, for National Salt Awareness Week, CASH, with the support of 11 national health charities, we are asking the public to stand up to chefs and ask for ‘less salt please!'"
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22 March 2006
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FSA publishes salt reduction targets
The Food Standards Agency has published voluntary salt reduction targets for food manufacturers and retailers, in order to encourage reduction in the amount of salt in many processed foods. The reduction targets apply to salt levels in the 85 food categories that contribute the most amount of salt in our diets.
29 April 2010
Curry: 'Saltier Than Sea Water'
One of the nation's favourite foods, curry, in some cases can be saltier than Atlantic sea water, a study has revealed. Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) found that the nation was overdosing on salt every day, creating a risk of raised blood pressure, strokes and thousands of early deaths each year.
Curry: 'Saltier Than Sea Water'
One of the nation's favourite foods, curry, in some cases can be saltier than Atlantic sea water, a study has revealed. Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) found that the nation was overdosing on salt every day, creating a risk of raised blood pressure, strokes and thousands of early deaths each year.
19 October 2007
Fast Food Salt "Outrageously High"
Having a meal at a fast food restaurant could expose a child to huge amounts of salt - in many cases well over their maximum daily limit - according to a new study.
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13 September 2004
British consumers urged to reduce salt intake
British consumers have been warned that they are endangering their health by eating too much salt – with men most at risk as they take almost twice the daily recommended limit.
British consumers urged to reduce salt intake
British consumers have been warned that they are endangering their health by eating too much salt – with men most at risk as they take almost twice the daily recommended limit.
15 May 2003
Cut children's salt intake says watchdog
The Food Standards Agency has today issued salt intake targets for children for the first time. The advice is based on a new report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). Recommendations are made on the maximum levels of salt that should be consumed each day by children, according to their age.
Cut children's salt intake says watchdog
The Food Standards Agency has today issued salt intake targets for children for the first time. The advice is based on a new report by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). Recommendations are made on the maximum levels of salt that should be consumed each day by children, according to their age.
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