New research shows that many of the United Kingdom’s favourite take‑away meals contain more salt than the menu says. Some dishes even give a whole day’s worth of salt in just one serving.
Scientists tested 39 meals from 23 places in Reading, including big chains and small independent shops. They found that 47% of the meals had more salt than the label claimed.
Meals like curries, pasta and pizza were the biggest offenders. A single pasta portion could have up to 11 g of salt, while the UK recommends adults eat no more than 6 g each day.
Interestingly, traditional fish‑and‑chip shops often added the least salt. In these shops, salt is usually sprinkled on after cooking and only if a customer asks for it.
What the Study Looked At
The research was carried out by the University of Reading and published in the journal PLOS One. Professor Gunter Kuhnle explained that restaurants find it hard to give exact salt numbers because recipes change, portions vary, and ingredients differ.
He added, “Even though grocery foods have become less salty, eating out is still a salty business. Menu numbers are only rough guides, not precise measurements.”
Which Take‑away Foods Had the Most Salt?
- Meat pizza – 1.6 g of salt per 100 g.
- Pasta dishes – average 7.2 g per serving; one dish reached 11.2 g.
- Curry dishes – wide range, 2.3 g to 9.4 g per serving.
- Fish‑and‑chip shop chips – only 0.2 g per serving because salt is added on request. Other outlets averaged about 1 g.
The World Health Organization says that eating too much salt causes about 1.8 million deaths worldwide each year.