Salads have more salt than pizza, study finds

SALADS being served in high street restaurants contain more salt than pizzas, a survey has found.

An investigation by the health campaigners Action on Salt (AOS) also revealed some ready-to-eat salads sold in supermarkets had nearly the maximum recommended daily allowance.

The group said the findings highlighted “a distinct lack of commitment” from the food industry to reduce salt content.

More than a third of the 213 restaurant, sandwich and coffee shop and fast food salads surveyed contained 2g of salt or more.

Pizza Express’s grand chicken Caesar salad with dough sticks contained 5.3g of salt – more than its classic margherita pizza – while Mcdonald’s grilled chicken and bacon salad with balsamic style dressing contained the same amount of salt as a cheeseburger, AOS says.

Health guidelines say adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day.

Even salads branded as a healthy option were high in salt, such as Benugo’s supercharged omega salmon with 3.5g of salt.

AOS said the findings demonstrated the need for clear, consistent nutrition labelling to help customers compare products and make healthier choices.

Of the 312 supermarket salads surveyed, M&S’S teriyaki chicken sticky rice salad with a soy and wasabi dressing was the saltiest with 3.5g per pack.

Only 17 per cent of retail salads surveyed were low in salt and would receive a green label on front of pack information.