Pub puddings under fire for salt content
A third of pub puddings contain as much salt as two bags of crisps, according to a study by a consumer group.
Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash) undertook a study of 57 dishes served at 16 London pub chain outlets.
The worst offender was found to be a sticky toffee pudding at JD Wetherspoon's Golden Grove outlet in Newham, East London. It contained 1.95g of salt — almost a third of the 6g recommended daily maximum intake.
The saltiest starter was also found at Wetherspoon. A spicy coated king prawn starter at its Moon & Stars venue in Havering was found to contain 4.4g of salt.
"I think that customers would be shocked by how much salt is in their favourite meals and in particular in their desserts as these taste sweet," said Carrie Bolt of Cash.
"How many people would guess that a sticky toffee pudding could contain as much as 1.95g salt, equivalent to two rashers of bacon?"
Cash is calling on pubs to agree to the same guidelines as retailers and ensure that the maximum salt content of a ready meal by 2012 is 1.13g. "Some chains are now starting to put nutritional information in their pubs and online menus and we would like to see all pubs adopt this approach," she said.
A JDW spokesman said: "Wetherspoon gives the salt, fat and number of calories information on its website and also in its pubs, so customers have the facts to hand.
"We have worked hard and continue to do so in reducing salt and fat levels in our food. However, the ultimate decision on what to eat is made by the customer."
