LONDON—Consumers who choose supermarket salads may think they are eating healthy, but new research found pre-packaged greens often have more that half the daily amount of salt. Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH), found surprisingly high levels of salt hidden in salads. In fact, one in ten salads contained more salt than a Big Mac.
CASH surveyed 270 salad and pasta bowls from supermarkets, high street cafes and fast-food chains and found only six salads contain less salt than a package of potato chips. CASH noted large variations in the salt content is due to the hidden salt in the dressings.
While the ‘healthy’ branded salads tended to lower in salt, the survey found many of the salads, healthier or not, did not list the amount of salt per portion on the front of the package.
Comparing this research to 2005 data revealed some progress in salt reduction has been made in the last 5 years, particularly by the supermarkets who have also greatly improved the quality of their labeling. The average salt content in supermarket salads has been reduced by nearly a quarter (23 percent) from 1.64g/portion in 2005 to 1.26g/portion in 2010.
“Many women choose salad as a healthy and convenient lunch, particularly when watching their waistline" said Katharine Jenner, CASH Campaign Manager. “Rather than feeling healthy however, they often feel bloated and sluggish, symptoms of ‘water retention,’ which can be caused by the hidden salt in these salads. In the long term the health problems are more serious as salt intake is linked to osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Given the healthy image of salads it’s surprising to find that they contain such high levels of unnecessary salt."
“Clearly the manufacturers still have a long way to go if we are to reduce our salt intake to 6g a day and save the maximum number of lives," said Professor Graham MacGregor of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine and Chairman of CASH. “Every gram of salt removed from our diet is estimated to prevent 6,000 deaths from heart attacks, heart disease and strokes per year, creating potential healthcare savings of £1.5billion per year."
CASH offered tips to help reduce the amount of salt in the salads, including avoiding salty ingredients such as ham, bacon and cheese, and swapping them for chicken, tuna or vegetables instead; not using the whole packet of dressing provided with a ready-made salad; using olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, balsamic vinegar and herbs instead of salty dressings and sauces; checking labels carefully and sticking to the recommended portion sizes; and adding pasta or mixed beans for a more filling salad.
The survey of 268 salads looked at salad and pasta bowls (including noodle-, rice-, bean and cous cous-based salads) designed to be eaten for lunch. Salads sitting alongside sandwiches (plus any others that were clearly intended for lunch) were included. Salads designed as side dishes, sitting along side other antipasti products, were not included. The survey was carried out in August 2010
Product data was collected from product packaging, online and from customer services from the leading supermarkets ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, The Co-operative and Waitrose and the leading high street café and fast food chains Boots, Burger King, Café Nero, Costa, EAT, KFC, McDonalds, Pret A Manger, Starbucks and Subway.