Fast food salads feel the pinch of salt

MANY so called healthy meals found in fast food restaurants and cafes contain just as much salt as the much maligned Big Mac and French fries, a new survey has shown.

The survey by Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) has shown that even two of McDonald’s own healthy options, the crispy chicken caesar and grilled chicken caesar, contained 3.5g and 3.3g of salt respectively. A Big Mac and small fries contain 4.2g of salt in total.

The survey, which looked at 156 ready-made salads and pastas from coffees shops and fast food restaurants, showed that on average most foods were healthy, with 1.4g of salt.

However, the survey also found that one fifth had nearly 75% of the total recommended daily salt intake.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said adults should not exceed the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 1.6g of sodium or 4g of salt. Over 90% of sodium in an adult diet is in the form of sodium chloride (better known as salt). One gram of sodium is equivalent to 2.54g of salt.

According to the FSAI, the average daily salt intake in Ireland is high — approximately 10g in adults. Data is lacking on salt intake in Irish children, however, data from Britain suggest that average daily salt intake in children aged 4-6 years and 7-10 years exceeds 5g and 6g respectively.

British-based Cash said that some salads should contain health warnings rather than being advertised as healthy options. The same survey showed that a Thai noodle soup from Eat showed contained 4.4g of salt per portion

According to doctors, people who reduce their salt intake can reduce risk of having a heart attack or stroke by 25%.

Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, stroke and related diseases is the single highest cause of death in Ireland accounting for over two in five of all deaths.

A McDonalds spokeswoman yesterday countered Cash criticism by saying the bulk of the salt was in the salad dressings and croutons which were packaged separately from the salad — so customers have a choice.

“We have worked to make significant reductions in salt levels to many of our menu items such as reducing salt in Chicken McNuggets by 30%, French Fries by 50%, ketchup by 23% and our low fat mayonnaise by 75%. We will continue to look at ways to reduce the salt levels in our food even further,” she said.